Interlocking Guide Flaps for Jammed Sheet Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording apparatuses face difficulties in accessing and removing paper sheets that are jammed, as the paper discharge rollers make it hard to reach the front side of the sheet, and forcing removal can lead to tearing and scraps left inside the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a first and second flap system that allows the user to access jammed sheets by opening a secondary transporting path, and the first flap can pivot to reduce the risk of tearing when pulling out the sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paper discharge rollers are in contact to transport sheets, then sheet transportation is reliable, but user access to jammed sheets from front side becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The guide flap is divided into a first guide flap and a second guide flap that can be opened independently. The second guide flap can be opened from the front side to provide access to the transporting path for removing jammed sheets, while the first guide flap remains closed to maintain reliable sheet transportation between the rollers.
2Ease of operation
If user pulls jammed sheet forcibly through paper discharge rollers, then sheet removal is achieved, but sheet tearing occurs and scraps remain inside
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide flap is extracted as a separate accessible component that can be opened from the front side. This allows users to access and remove jammed sheets directly from the transporting path without needing to pull through the paper discharge rollers, thereby preventing sheet tearing and scraps from remaining inside the apparatus.
3Stability of the object's composition
If first flap is fixed in position, then sheet guiding is stable, but sheet access for removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide flap system is made dynamic by allowing the second guide flap to be opened and closed. When closed, it provides stable sheet guiding similar to a fixed structure. When opened, it enables user access to the transporting path for sheet removal, thus combining stability with operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a first transporting portion with a first transporting path formed to guide a sheet with its recording surface facing upward, a recording portion, a transporting roller, a second transporting portion with a second transporting path, a first flap, a sandwiching member sandwich the sheet between itself and the first flap, and a second flap. The first flap turn between a first position being able to guide the sheet along the first transporting path and a second position spaced downward from the sandwiching member farther than in the first position, and the second flap change between a third position for a third surface to define a guide surface of the second transporting path and a fourth position to open up the second transporting path.