Dynamic Biasing Mechanism for Sheet Feed Cassette Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image processing apparatuses face challenges in smoothly pulling in and pulling out the sheet feed cassette due to inconsistent pulling forces, which can lead to user discomfort and incomplete insertion or removal.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pull-in mechanism with a biasing member that increases the biasing force as the pull-in member moves from the start to the complete position, ensuring a consistent and increased force for reliable insertion and reduced load during manual removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pulling-in force of the automatic pulling-in mechanism is set strong at the start, then the sheet feed cassette can be pulled in completely, but the user experiences high load and the cassette cannot be pulled out smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling force is made dynamic rather than constant. The biasing member (spring) provides a pulling force that varies with position: strongest when the cassette is far from the main body to ensure complete insertion, and weakest when the cassette is near the main body to facilitate easy manual removal. This resolves the contradiction by making the force adaptive to the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling force parameter is changed based on the position of the sheet feed cassette. The biasing member is configured so that the pulling force decreases as the cassette approaches the main body. This parameter change allows strong pulling force during insertion while maintaining ease of manual removal, resolving the technical contradiction between reliable insertion and easy removal.
2Ease of operation
If the pulling-in force of the automatic pulling-in mechanism is set weak at the start, then the user experiences low load during manual removal, but the sheet feed cassette cannot be pulled in completely
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling force is made dynamic rather than constant. The biasing member (spring) provides a pulling force that varies with position: strongest when the cassette is far from the main body to ensure complete insertion, and weakest when the cassette is near the main body to facilitate easy manual removal. This resolves the contradiction by making the force adaptive to the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling force parameter is changed based on the position of the sheet feed cassette. The biasing member is configured so that the pulling force decreases as the cassette approaches the main body. This parameter change allows strong pulling force during insertion while maintaining ease of manual removal, resolving the technical contradiction between reliable insertion and easy removal.
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 solution allows for smooth and reliable automatic insertion of the sheet feed cassette while minimizing the load on the user during manual removal, ensuring complete insertion and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the pull-in member in an insertion direction, wherein a biasing force of the biasing member in a state where the pull-in member is at a first position closer to the pull-in complete position than the pull-in start position is larger than a biasing force of the biasing member in a state where the pull-in member is at a second position closer to the pull-in start position than the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a sheet feed cassette, a pull-in member, and a biasing member. The sheet feed cassette is provided to be insertable into the apparatus main body. The pull-in member pushes the sheet feed cassette from a pull-in start position to a pull-in complete position to pull in the sheet feed cassette to the apparatus main body. The biasing member biases the pull-in member in the insertion direction. The biasing force of the biasing member in the state where the pull-in member is at a first position closer to the pull-in complete position than the pull-in start position is larger than the biasing force of the biasing member in the state where the pull-in member is at a second position closer to the pull-in start position than the first position.