Dual-regulating paper feed mechanism for small-width media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper feed apparatuses in image forming devices, such as copying machines and printers, are unable to adequately feed papers of smaller widths, like name cards, due to regulatory mechanisms designed for standard-width papers only.
Innovation Solution
A paper feed apparatus with both a first and second regulating portion, positioned orthogonally intersecting the paper feeding direction, to prevent unintentional entry of papers into the feeding path, allowing for the proper feeding of both standard-width and smaller-width papers by adjusting their positions relative to the paper passage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regulating portions are arranged at positions corresponding to both end portions in width direction of standard-width paper, then standard-width paper feeding is improved, but smaller-width paper feeding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating portion is divided into a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion. The first regulating portion regulates standard-width paper at positions corresponding to both end portions in the width direction, while the second regulating portion regulates smaller-width paper at a position inside the smaller-width paper passage area. This segmentation allows each regulating portion to be optimized for its specific paper size, resolving the contradiction between standard-width and smaller-width paper feeding capabilities.
2Reliability
If regulating portions are positioned to prevent unintentional entry of paper, then paper feeding control is improved, but apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are integrated into a single regulating mechanism system. They share common structural elements and work together as a unified paper feeding control system, preventing unintentional entry of paper while avoiding the need for completely separate regulating mechanisms. This merging approach maintains paper feeding control reliability without proportionally increasing apparatus complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feed apparatus for a multifunction image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding portion that sends-out a paper placed in a paper placing tray. The paper feed apparatus comprises a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion arranged in the vicinity of a downstream side of a paper feeding position by the paper feeding portion. The first regulating portion is arranged outside a second width paper passage area to regulate a movement of a first width paper placed in the paper placing tray toward a feeding direction. The second regulating portion is arranged inside the second width paper passage area to regulate a movement of a second width paper placed in the paper placing tray toward a feeding direction. By this arrangement, the second width paper such as a name card can be fed in addition to the first width paper such as A4 paper.