Manual Feed Tray Downsizing via Auxiliary Plate Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manual feed tray in image forming apparatuses is difficult to downsize due to the need for an auxiliary loading plate, which increases the size of the tray and storage space, and users struggle to draw out the thin auxiliary plate as there is no gap between it and the sheet loading plate, making it hard to form a hooking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supplying apparatus with a cover, base tray, interlock mechanism, and auxiliary tray, where the auxiliary tray is movable and includes a lifting part that separates from the cover when the base tray moves downstream, allowing the auxiliary tray to be drawn out smoothly by creating a gap for finger access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin auxiliary loading plate is provided slidably on a thin sheet loading plate to downsize the manual feed tray, then the storage space and tray size are reduced, but the user cannot smoothly draw out the auxiliary loading plate because there is no gap between the plate and sheet loading plate to hook fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary loading plate is divided into a plate body and a separate drawing assistance protrusion. This segmentation allows the drawing assistance protrusion to extend beyond the plate body, creating a gap that enables finger hooking while maintaining the overall thin profile of the auxiliary loading plate for compact storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawing assistance protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the auxiliary loading plate body. It provides a mechanical interface (gap) that facilitates the drawing operation without requiring the entire plate structure to be thicker or more complex.
2Volume of moving object
If the auxiliary loading plate is made thin to minimize gap and downsize the tray, then storage space is reduced, but it becomes difficult to form a hooking part for user access
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary loading plate has different local qualities: the plate body remains thin for compact storage, while the drawing assistance protrusion extends locally to create the necessary gap for finger hooking. This localized structural variation resolves the contradiction between thinness and operability.
3Volume of moving object
If the manual feed tray is turned and stored along the sheet side surface when not in use, then space is saved, but the sheet loading plate cannot be downsized without the auxiliary loading plate structure
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary loading plate is designed to nest within or alongside the sheet loading plate structure when stored. The drawing assistance protrusion can be positioned to fit within the overall tray profile, allowing compact storage while maintaining the functional separation of components.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supplying apparatus includes a supply part, a cover, a base tray, an interlock mechanism, and an auxiliary tray. The supply part is provided in the apparatus body. The cover is provided to be turnable between a close position and an open position. The base tray composes a part of a loading surface on which the sheet is loaded, and is movable in a conveyance direction with respect to the cover. The interlock mechanism moves the base tray by interlocking with the cover turning, and moves the base tray by interlocking with the cover turning. The auxiliary tray is displaceable between a storage position and a raising position. An engage part includes a lifting part. The lifting part comes into pressure contact with an engaged part and displaces the auxiliary tray from the storage position to the raising position.