Interlock Mechanism for Document Feeder Tray Inclination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image processing devices, a large inclination angle of the document feeder tray in the open state can lead to uneven document conveyance, necessitating a reduction in the inclination angle to ensure smooth document handling without interference with the upper cover.
Innovation Solution
An interlock mechanism is implemented where the second cover moves downward as the first cover transitions from the closed to the open position, reducing the inclination angle and preventing interference between the two covers, allowing for smoother sheet conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the document feeder tray is opened to a large inclination angle, then the tray can be easily accessed and opened, but the upper cover interferes with the tray and document conveyance becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the upper cover movable rather than fixed. The upper cover is configured to move downward when the tray is opened, dynamically adjusting its position to avoid interference with the tray at large inclination angles. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the tray to open to larger angles for better accessibility while maintaining reliable document conveyance through dynamic cover positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the dimensionality change principle by introducing vertical movement of the upper cover in addition to the horizontal tray opening motion. Instead of merely rotating the tray in one plane, the system adds a vertical dimension to the cover movement, allowing the cover to clear the tray path and enabling smoother document conveyance at larger tray angles.
2Reliability
If the inclination angle of the document feeder tray is reduced to ensure smooth document conveyance, then document handling improves, but the tray becomes harder to access and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic upper cover movement allows the system to maintain a larger effective tray angle for better accessibility while the cover dynamically positions itself to ensure smooth document conveyance. The cover moves down when the tray is opened and can be raised when closed, dynamically adapting to the tray position to resolve the accessibility-conveyance smoothness contradiction.
3Device complexity
If the upper cover remains stationary during tray opening, then the structure is simpler, but the cover interferes with the tray and document conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary cover into a dynamic component that moves in coordination with the tray. The cover is linked to the tray mechanism so that when the tray opens, the cover automatically moves downward to clear the path. This dynamic coordination adds some complexity but resolves the interference problem and ensures reliable document conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cover movement function with the tray opening function. Instead of separate mechanisms, the cover movement is integrated with the tray opening action, so that opening the tray automatically triggers the cover to move down. This combining of functions reduces overall system complexity while eliminating interference issues.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a housing with a sheet conveyor situated in the housing. An interlock mechanism includes a first engagement member extending from a second surface of a first cover; and a second engagement member extending from a second surface of a second cover. One of the first and second engagement members is engagable with the other of the first and second engagement members. When the first cover moves from a first position to a second position, the first and second engagement members engage to move one end portion of the second cover in response to a movement of the first engagement member away from the second cover, and when the first cover moves from the second position to the first position, the first engagement member engages the second engagement member to move the second cover to a first position.