Foldable Tray Support Device for Paper Feeder Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for large capacity paper feeding devices fail to effectively restrict the movement of trays, leading to potential damage during packaging and conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a foldable base member, tapered tip members, and lower end members, which are integrated into the cassette to restrict the tray's movement and prevent tilt, using a configuration that minimizes material costs and interference with other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing support devices are used, then the tray movement is not effectively restricted, but the risk of damage during packaging and conveyance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple functional components: a base member with plate shape, a pair of tip members with tapered configuration, and a pair of lower end members forming right angles. Each segment performs a specific function in restricting tray movement in different directions, effectively addressing the harm of unrestricted tray movement during packaging and conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is disposed in the cassette before packaging and conveyance to preemptively restrict tray movement. The base member is positioned to abut against the tray, and the tip members are arranged to engage with the tray edges, establishing constraints before any harmful movement can occur during transport.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple integrated flat plate design is used, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the ability to restrict tray movement and prevent tilt may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Although the support device uses a simple integrated flat plate structure for cost-effective manufacturing, it is divided into functionally distinct regions: a base member area for supporting the tray bottom, tip member areas with tapered edges for preventing lateral movement, and lower end members forming right angles for preventing tilt. This segmentation of function within a unified structure maintains reliability while simplifying manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat plate structure incorporates local variations in geometry to achieve different functions: the base member has a larger surface area for stable support, the tip members have tapered configurations for engaging tray edges, and the lower end members form right angles for preventing tilt. These local quality differences enable the simple integrated structure to effectively restrict tray movement in multiple directions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, provided is a support device including a base member, a pair of tip members, and a pair of lower end members. The base member is configured to be foldable at an intermediate portion in a width direction, the base member having a plate shape. The pair of tip members are present in both end portions of the base member in the width direction and have a configuration where a pair of plate materials are disposed to be tapered. The pair of lower end members have a plate shape, are present in a lower end portion of the base member on both sides of the base member in a thickness direction, and form a substantially right angle with the base member.