Expandable Lid for Paper Cassette Dust Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium supply apparatuses for image forming devices require significant space for dustproof coverings, which hinders the compact arrangement of components, and there is a lack of configurations that allow the lid to contract as the paper feed cassette is extracted from the image forming apparatus body.
Innovation Solution
A medium supply apparatus with a box member that is longer than the image forming apparatus body, featuring a lid with a movable first member and a second member connected for relative movement, where the lid expands or contracts based on the insertion or extraction of the box member, using lugs and snap engagement mechanisms to manage the covering structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dustproof covering is provided over the extended tray, then dust protection is improved, but the space required for storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a movable first member that can dynamically change position between covering the extended tray when inserted and being positioned away when extracted, allowing the same lid to serve both dust protection and compact storage needs
Solution Approach 2:
The lid utilizes the depth dimension of the apparatus body by positioning itself on the back side, allowing it to cover the extended tray without increasing the front-to-back footprint when contracted
2Volume of stationary object
If a lid with expandable/contractible structure is used, then space for storage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a first member and a second member that can move relative to each other, with the first member being movable and the second member fixed to the body, simplifying the mechanism compared to fully expandable structures
Solution Approach 2:
The lid automatically transitions between extended and contracted states through the engagement and disengagement of the first member with the box member during insertion and extraction, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid covers the extended portion of the box member, then dust protection is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid automatically extends to cover the box member during insertion and contracts during extraction without requiring manual intervention, making the operation as convenient as a fixed lid while providing dust protection only when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A medium supply apparatus includes a box member and a lid. A medium is stored inside the box member. The box member is inserted into and extracted from a body of an image forming apparatus, and has a length in an extraction/insertion direction that is longer than a length of the body in the extraction/insertion direction. The lid is provided on a back side of the body in the extraction/insertion direction of the box member to cover at least an upper part of a portion of the box member that projects from the body. The lid includes a first member, a second member, and a first lug. The first member is movable in the extraction/insertion direction with respect to the body. The second member is connected to the first member so as to be relatively movable in the extraction/insertion direction with respect to the first member. The second member is moved by being pushed by the box member which is inserted into the body. The first lug is provided on the second member. The first lug is engaged with the box member by a force that presses the box member against the second member, and disengaged from the box member by a force that extracts the box member from the second member.