Feeding Device Tray Angle Stability via Dynamic Arm Lever Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding devices face instability in the operation of handling mechanisms when the tray angle changes with respect to the main body, affecting the transmission of driving force and resulting in unstable handling of recording media.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device design that includes a rotatably attached tray with an operation arm and lever mechanism, where the operation arm moves to transmit driving force to the lever, ensuring stable operation of the handling mechanism regardless of the tray's angle, using a drive transmission mechanism that includes a cam system and rack-and-pinion gears to maintain functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gear mechanism is used to transmit driving force to the handling mechanism, then the driving force can be transmitted, but the handling mechanism becomes unstable when the tray angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic transmission mechanism where the operation arm rotates about a pivot point to maintain proper engagement with the operation lever regardless of tray angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the mechanism to adapt to varying tray positions while maintaining stable transmission of driving force to the handling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The operation arm and operation lever serve as intermediary elements between the drive source and the handling mechanism. These intermediaries transmit the driving force through a rotational motion that compensates for changes in tray angle, ensuring stable operation of the handling mechanism across different tray positions
2Ease of operation
If the tray is rotatably attached to the main body, then the tray can be folded for storage, but the transmission of driving force to the handling mechanism becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing the operation arm to rotate and adjust its position as the tray angle changes during folding or operation. This maintains reliable driving force transmission throughout the full range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drive transmission function with the rotational motion of the tray by using the operation arm-pivot-lever linkage. This integrated design ensures that the driving force is transmitted reliably whether the tray is folded for storage or positioned for use
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
Enables stable operation of the handling mechanism, including paper alignment and separation, even when the tray is at varying angles, ensuring reliable recording medium transport and alignment without increasing the device's size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
an operation arm portion attached to the main body and configured to move in one direction along a rotation axis of the tray by a driving force from the drive source
Implementation Method 2
the operation arm portion moves in the one direction so that the operation arm portion abuts on the operation lever and transmits the driving force to the operation lever so that the operation lever is pushed
Implementation Method 3
the driving force received by the pushed operation lever is transmitted to the handling mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding device to transport a recording medium includes a main body having a drive source, a tray that is rotatably attached to the main body and on which the recording medium is to be loaded, a handling mechanism provided on the tray, an operation arm portion attached to the main body, and an operation lever provided on the tray so as to face the operation arm portion. The handling mechanism handles the recording medium. The operation arm portion moves in one direction along a rotation axis of the tray by a driving force from the drive source. The operation arm portion moves in the one direction so that the operation arm portion abuts on the operation lever and transmits the driving force to the operation lever so that the operation lever is pushed. The driving force received by the pushed operation lever is transmitted to the handling mechanism.