Guide Lever and Rail Cover Stabilization Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with heavy covers struggle to maintain the cover in an open state during repair or maintenance, leading to abrupt closure and potential damage or injury due to the lack of stable support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a guide lever member and guide rail member system that constrains and supports the pivoting of the cover, using elastic bending portions and spaces to maintain the cover in an open state without the need for additional springs, preventing abrupt closure and allowing smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cover is made heavy to include additional devices (scanner or ADF), then the cover functionality is improved, but the cover cannot be maintained in the open state and may abruptly close causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A link member is introduced as an intermediary between the cover and the locking member. This link member transfers the locking force from the locking member to the cover, enabling the heavy cover with additional devices to be stably maintained in the open state without compromising safety or functionality
2Stability of the object's composition
If an extension coil spring is added to elastically support the link member, then the link member stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link member is designed to utilize the gravitational force acting on itself and the geometric constraints of the guide rail to achieve automatic stabilization. When the cover is opened, gravity causes the link member to naturally engage with the guide rail at a specific position, automatically maintaining the cover in the open state without requiring additional elastic supporting components
Solution Approach 2:
The extension coil spring component is completely removed from the system. Instead of adding elastic support through a spring, the design extracts this function by using the guide rail geometry and gravitational force to provide the necessary stabilization, thereby simplifying the overall structure
3Ease of operation
If the link member is made to pivot freely, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cover may abruptly close during work causing damage or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary constraint between the link member and the cover. It provides geometric guidance that allows smooth opening operation while simultaneously preventing abrupt closure by controlling the path and speed of the link member's movement throughout the opening/closing cycle
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 system stabilizes the cover in an open position, preventing abrupt closure and reducing the risk of damage or injury, while also allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and user convenience during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic bending portion provided on the first side of the guide rail and upwardly bending, and a first elastic space under the first elastic bending portion... a second elastic bending portion provided on the second side of the guide rail and upwardly bending, and a second elastic space under the second elastic bending portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: a first body; a second body to pivot between a closed position and an open position in relation to the first body; a guide lever member to control a pivoting of the second body and having a first end connected to one of the first body and the second body, and a second end, opposite the first end; and a guide rail member including: a guide rail along which the second end of the guide lever member is slidably connected. The guide rail member includes a first pressing portion to constrain the second end of the guide lever member in the open position of the second body, and a second pressing portion to prevent the second body from abruptly closing while the second body is being closed.