Feeding Tray Cable Routing for Stress-Resistant Document Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document conveying devices experience stress and potential disconnection of cables due to the lifting and lowering of the feeding tray, which is not effectively managed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A cable treatment member is integrated into the document conveying device to maintain the intermediate portion of the cable in a bent state within a housing, utilizing a curved surface to absorb the stress and prevent twisting during the lifting and lowering of the feeding tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the feeding tray is supported by the support frame so as to be lifted and lowered to increase the number of sheets that can be stacked, then the stacking capacity is improved, but the stress on the cable cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A cable treatment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the lifting mechanism. This member includes a guide portion that directs the cable and a bent portion that absorbs stress, preventing direct transmission of mechanical stress to the cable while allowing the tray to be lifted and lowered
Solution Approach 2:
The cable treatment member incorporates a bent portion with a curved geometry that matches the movement trajectory of the cable. This curved design allows the cable to bend smoothly along the arc of motion, reducing stress concentration and preventing cable damage during tray lifting and lowering operations
2Productivity
If the feeding tray is lifted and lowered to increase stacking capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of cable connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable treatment member serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the cable from direct mechanical stress during tray movement. The guide portion ensures proper cable alignment while the bent portion absorbs lifting and lowering stresses, maintaining reliable electrical connections between sensors and the electric board throughout the range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The bent portion of the cable treatment member is pre-configured to absorb stress before it can reach the cable. This anticipatory stress absorption prevents cable damage and connection failures before they occur, ensuring reliable electrical connectivity throughout the operational range of the tray
Data Source
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AI summary
A document conveying device (16) conveys a document placed on a feeding tray (34) to a discharge tray (35) disposed below the feeding tray (34). The document conveying device (16) includes a support frame (40), a cable (47), and a cable treatment member (61). The support frame (40) supports the feeding tray (34) to be liftable and lowerable. The cable (47) connects a first connecting portion (44) provided in the feeding tray (34) and a second connecting portion (48) provided in the support frame (40). The cable treatment member (61) is provided so as to be hanged from the feeding tray (34) and houses an intermediate portion of the cable (47) in a bent state. The intermediate portion of the cable (47) is kept in the bent state inside the cable treatment member (61) when the feeding tray (34) is lifted and lowered. The cable treatment member (61) has a curved surface portion (66) curved so as to expand downward along the bend of the cable (47).