Guide Fence Lock Mechanism for Sheet Supply Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet supply devices face challenges in maintaining even edges of large-sized print sheets due to insufficient locking force of guide fences, leading to erroneous sheet supply positions, and increasing the operational force required to align them.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supply device with a guide fence lock mechanism that utilizes a slider block, slide shaft, and a restriction member with a hole to generate friction, allowing for stronger locking and improved operability without increasing operational force, featuring a fulcrum plate, elastic member, and lever for enhanced alignment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the locking force of the guide fence is strengthened by increasing the eccentric amount of the eccentric cam, then the locking force is improved, but the operational force of the lock lever becomes larger and operability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The guide fence mechanism is divided into two independent guide fences that can be adjusted separately. Each guide fence has its own lock lever and eccentric cam, allowing independent adjustment without affecting the other side, thereby improving operability while maintaining sufficient locking force for each individual fence
Solution Approach 2:
The operational characteristics are changed by modifying the eccentric cam geometry - specifically making the eccentric amount smaller and the cam surface longer. This parameter change reduces the operational force required on the lock lever while still providing adequate locking force through the extended cam surface engagement
2Ease of operation
If the locking force of the guide fence is insufficient, then the operational force is reduced, but the supply positions of the print sheets become erroneously shifted laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The eccentric cam uses a curved cam surface instead of a linear or flat engagement surface. This curvature allows for gradual engagement and distribution of locking force, providing sufficient precision to prevent sheet position shifts while requiring less operational force compared to a rigid linear locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric cam acts as an intermediary between the lock lever and the guide fence. It transforms the small movement of the lock lever into the necessary locking force on the guide fence, providing mechanical advantage that ensures precise sheet positioning without requiring large operational forces
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
The solution effectively strengthens the locking force of guide fences while maintaining improved operability for positioning adjustments, ensuring accurate sheet alignment and preventing operational force increases.
Implementation Method 1
a friction force is generated between the inner circumferential edge of the hole and the outer circumference of the slide shaft when the inner circumferential edge is pushed onto the outer circumference in the lock state
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member that is disposed near another vertical end of the slider block and to urge the restriction member toward the guide fence
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supply device includes a sheet supply tray, a guide fence for restricting sheets along a sheet width direction, a slider block that is slidable along the sheet width direction and supports the guide fence in an upright state, a slide shaft that is inserted into a through hole formed in the slider block and guides sliding of the slider block, and a guide fence lock mechanism including a restriction member on which a hole is formed and that is attached to the slider block swingably (the slide shaft is inserted into the hole). The guide fence lock mechanism restricts sliding of the slider block by holding the restriction member in a lock state where an inner circumferential edge of the hole is pushed onto an outer circumference of the slide shaft, and allows sliding of the slider block when the restriction member is swung to cancel the lock state.