Image Reading Unit Segmented Bottom Surface for Paper Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with in-body paper discharge structures that discharge paper sheets from the back surface to the front surface face challenges in extracting the paper sheet due to the limited sheet discharge space, especially with small-sized papers, and the presence of wiring cables and pulling members hinders the thinning of the image reading unit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a segmented bottom surface with a higher front surface and a lower back surface, allowing the pulling member and movable wiring to be positioned above the back surface, expanding the discharge space in the height direction, and includes rib pieces and a projection to guide and support the paper sheet, preventing jams and irregular loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sheet discharge space is narrowed to downsize the apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the paper sheet becomes difficult to extract
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stepped configuration on the bottom surface of the image reading unit housing, creating a first surface at a higher position and a second surface at a lower position. This vertical dimensionality change expands the sheet discharge space height without increasing the apparatus footprint, allowing paper sheets to be easily extracted while maintaining a compact overall size.
2Volume of moving object
If the image reading unit is thinned to downsize the apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the wiring cable and pulling member cannot be properly arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical space created by the stepped bottom surface configuration to arrange the wiring cable and pulling member. The first surface at a higher position provides sufficient clearance for these components to be properly positioned and connected, enabling the image reading unit to be thinned while maintaining functional complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the lower surface at the front side of the image reading unit is formed as an inclined surface to facilitate paper extraction, then paper extraction is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bottom surface of the image reading unit housing into two distinct surfaces: a first surface at a higher position and a second surface at a lower position. This segmentation creates a stepped configuration that facilitates paper sheet extraction through the height difference while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to inclined surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, an image forming unit, a discharge unit, and a discharge tray. The image reading unit is configured to read a document placed on a document placement table by moving and scanning of a scanning body in a sub-scanning direction. The image forming unit is configured to form an image read by the image reading unit on a paper sheet. The discharge unit is configured to discharge the paper sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The discharge tray is on which the paper sheet from the discharge unit is to be placed with a space portion at a lower side of the image reading unit. A bottom surface of a housing of the image reading unit facing the discharge tray is constituted of a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is a surface at a front side of the discharge unit in a discharging direction and high with respect to the discharge tray. The second surface is a surface at a back side of the discharge unit in the discharging direction lower than the first surface with respect to the discharge tray. A pulling member and/or a movable wiring are/is arranged at an upper side of the second surface inside the housing. The pulling member is configured to move the scanning body back and forth in the sub-scanning direction. One end portion of the movable wiring is secured to the scanning body.