Dual Paper Tray Layout for Multi-Feed Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses with multiple paper feed trays face issues when the maximum accommodation numbers and sheet medium lengths differ, leading to problems such as increased costs, degraded feeding functions, and multi-feed prevention inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with separate trays having distinct configurations, including varying lengths of separating members, side guides, and stoppers to accommodate different sheet media forms, ensuring optimal feeding and prevention of multi-feed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-feed prevention mechanism (separating member and stopper) is provided for both trays, then multi-feed prevention function is improved, but device complexity and cost increase when maximum accommodation numbers are different
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different configurations of separating members and stoppers for each tray based on their specific maximum accommodation numbers. The first tray has a first separating member and first stopper configured for its accommodation capacity, while the second tray has a second separating member and second stopper configured for its accommodation capacity. This localized customization ensures optimal multi-feed prevention for each tray without unnecessarily complicating the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-feed prevention mechanism into tray-specific components. Each tray has its own separating member and stopper that are independently configured according to that tray's maximum accommodation number. This segmentation allows the system to handle different accommodation capacities without requiring a uniform complex mechanism across all trays.
2Ease of operation
If the same side guide configuration is used for both trays, then device complexity is reduced, but feeding function degrades when sheet medium lengths are different
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing a first side guide configured for the first tray with specific sheet medium length and a second side guide configured for the second tray with different sheet medium length. Each side guide is locally optimized for its corresponding tray's requirements, ensuring proper feeding function while maintaining clear differentiation between the two tray configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If maximum accommodation numbers of sheet media are made different for first and second trays, then adaptability to different sheet forms is improved, but design difficulty of side guide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing tray-specific side guide configurations that match each tray's maximum accommodation number. The first side guide is designed with specific dimensions suitable for the first tray's accommodation capacity, and the second side guide is designed with different dimensions for the second tray's accommodation capacity. This approach maintains adaptability to different sheet forms while simplifying the design process by providing clear, differentiated specifications for each tray.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a first tray, a second tray overlapping the first tray in the first direction, a first roller configured to feed first sheet media in the first tray in a second direction, a second roller configured to feed second sheet media in the second tray in the second direction, a first separating member extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, a second separating member extending in the third direction, and a recording unit. The second separating member is longer than the first separating member, and the second roller is positioned at the upstream side of the second tray with respect to the first roller in the second direction in a state where no sheet media are accommodated in the first tray and the second tray.