Extension Tray on Side Cover for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the size of an image forming apparatus's extension tray while maintaining the maximum paper size capability, which is costly due to the need for longer trays when the body casing is minimized.
Innovation Solution
Attaching the extension tray to a side cover that can open and close, allowing it to extend downstream and rotate on a shaft, with ribs and inclined surfaces for easy paper handling, and using stoppers to maintain positions, enabling compact folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the extension tray is attached to the body casing to support large-size paper, then the maximum paper size capability is maintained, but the length of the extension tray must be enlarged which increases parts cost
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tray is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of rotating between a horizontal extended position (for supporting large-size paper) and a vertical retracted position (for compact storage). This dynamic configuration allows the tray to provide full functionality when needed while minimizing its spatial footprint during storage, resolving the contradiction between maintaining paper size capability and reducing tray length.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension tray transitions from occupying horizontal space (when extended) to occupying vertical space (when rotated upright). By changing the dimension in which the tray occupies space, the invention maintains the ability to support large papers horizontally while reducing the horizontal length requirement to minimal mounting space, thereby lowering parts cost and improving compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the extension tray is made longer to maintain paper size capability, then large papers can be loaded, but the overall apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable extension tray rotates between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing the apparatus to accommodate large papers when needed while maintaining a compact overall size during normal operation and storage. This dynamic transformation eliminates the need for permanently increased apparatus volume.
Solution Approach 2:
When the extension tray is rotated to the vertical position, it nests alongside or within the body casing structure, similar to a nested doll configuration. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall apparatus volume by utilizing vertical space rather than increasing horizontal or overall footprint.
3Ease of manufacture
If the extension tray is attached to the body casing, then paper support function is provided, but the tray cannot be easily opened/closed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tray is designed with rotational movement capability, allowing it to swing between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic feature enables maintenance personnel to easily access and service the tray by simply rotating it to the vertical position, while still maintaining full paper support functionality when rotated to horizontal position.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension tray is designed as a separate, detachable component from the body casing, connected through a rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows the tray to be independently accessed, removed, or serviced without disassembling the entire apparatus, while maintaining its paper support function when properly positioned.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes a body casing having on upper surface thereof a paper ejection tray on which a sheet of paper ejected after formation of an image is stacked; a side cover capable of opening and closing a side surface of the body casing on the downstream side in the direction of ejection of the sheet of paper so as to cover the side surface of the body casing; and an extension tray being attached to an upper portion of the side cover. The extension tray is capable of extending to the downstream side in the direction of ejection of the sheet of paper with respect to the paper ejection tray so as to support an end portion of the sheet of paper.