Dual-Rotor Actuator for Sheet Tray Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing damage to the actuator mechanism when it rotates beyond a certain range due to excessive force from loaded sheets, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a connecting mechanism involving a first rotor and a second rotor, where the rotation force is transmitted through a connecting mechanism that maintains a predetermined angle between the contactor and the light-blocking piece, allowing the actuator to rotate safely beyond the detection position without excessive stress, using the weight of the components to distribute forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the actuator rotates in accordance with the load amount of sheets on the sheet tray, then the detection mechanism can detect the fully loaded state, but the actuator may rotate beyond a certain range causing mechanical stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into two independently rotatable components: a first rotor that rotates with sheet load and a second rotor that rotates only to a predetermined angle. This segmentation allows the detection function to be separated from the potentially damaging rotation, enabling precise detection without compromising actuator durability.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two rotors. It transmits rotation from the first rotor to the second rotor only within a safe angular range, preventing the second rotor from rotating beyond the predetermined angle even when the first rotor rotates further due to excessive sheet load.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator rotates freely with sheet load, then the detection mechanism can operate, but excessive force from loaded sheets can cause mechanical stress and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static connection to a dynamic conditional connection. The connection portion dynamically engages and disengages based on rotation angle, allowing free rotation within safe limits while automatically preventing rotation beyond the predetermined angle, thus protecting mechanical strength while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatus capable of preventing damage even when actuator for detecting sheets loaded on sheet tray is rotated beyond acceptable range. A rotation shaft is disposed in the vicinity of a cover rotation portion of a sheet tray that is to be opened and closed. The image forming apparatus includes a connection portion and an actuator rotating in accordance with an amount of loaded sheets. The actuator includes a rotation shaft, a first rotor supported on the rotation shaft, and a second rotor that is rotatably supported by a cylindrical portion coaxial to the rotation shaft. The connection portion is configured to, when the first rotor rotates in a direction away from the sheet placement surface, make contact with, and rotate the second rotor in the same rotation direction, and rotate only the first rotor when the second rotor reaches a predetermined position.