Dual-Tray Sheet Tray with Elastic Linkage for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing the opening and closing of cover members, which can lead to improper sheet alignment and increased mechanical stress, affecting the image forming process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a dual-tray system with a pivotable main tray and a downstream tray, supported by elastic members that allow for controlled opening and closing, ensuring proper sheet alignment and reducing mechanical stress through a push-to-close latch mechanism and elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single rigid tray is used for sheet conveyance, then the structure is simple, but the sheet alignment precision deteriorates during opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into two independent segments: the main tray for holding sheets and the downstream tray for receiving conveyed sheets. These segments can move independently relative to each other, allowing the main tray to remain stable for precise sheet placement while the downstream tray adjusts to receive sheets smoothly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling precise sheet alignment without requiring a completely rigid single-tray structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream tray is designed to be movable relative to the main tray through a linkage mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the downstream tray to adjust its position during the opening and closing process, ensuring smooth sheet transfer while the main tray maintains its position for precise sheet placement. The dynamic element resolves the contradiction between precision and operational smoothness.
2Ease of operation
If the cover member opens quickly without control, then the operation speed is high, but mechanical stress and sheet misalignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member (such as a spring) is incorporated into the linkage mechanism between the main tray and downstream tray. This elastic element acts as a cushion that absorbs mechanical shock during the opening and closing operations. By providing beforehand cushioning, the system reduces mechanical stress and prevents damage while maintaining operational ease, resolving the contradiction between operation speed and mechanical stress reduction.
3Productivity
If the downstream tray is fixed relative to the main tray, then the structure is simple, but sheet conveyance smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream tray is connected to the main tray through a movable linkage mechanism that allows relative motion between the two trays. This dynamic connection enables the downstream tray to adjust its position smoothly during sheet conveyance, ensuring uninterrupted and smooth sheet transfer from the main tray to the discharge area. The added mechanical complexity is justified by the significant improvement in sheet conveyance smoothness and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures smooth and controlled opening and closing of the trays, preventing sheet misalignment and mechanical stress, thereby enhancing the image forming process by allowing for precise sheet placement and reducing shock during opening.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is expandable and contractible. One end of the elastic member is fastened on the first fastening portion of the main tray, and the other end of the elastic member is fastened on the second fastening portion of the downstream tray.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet conveyance passage, a main tray, a downstream tray, and an elastic member. The main tray includes a first fastening portion and a first support portion, and is pivotable about an axis of the first support portion to thereby be openable and closeable with respect to the housing. The downstream tray includes a second fastening portion, and a second support portion disposed further inside the housing than the first support portion, the downstream tray overlapping the main tray, and being pivotable about an axis of the second support portion and thereby relatively movable with respect to the main tray. The elastic member is expandable and contractible and fastened on the first fastening portion of the main tray and the second fastening portion of the downstream tray.