Inclined Manual Feed Tray Guide for Reduced Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require significant space for manual feed trays due to their opening and closing mechanisms, which complicates installation and operation, and often necessitate additional components for sheet conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A manual feed tray mechanism that inclines and retracts within the apparatus body, guided by a pair of guide members and lateral extension lugs, allowing it to move between upright and retracted positions, minimizing space requirements and integrating with the apparatus body for dust protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual feed tray is provided with an opening and closing mechanism, then the tray can be opened to allow sheet placement, but the apparatus requires significant installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The manual feed tray is nested within the apparatus body, allowing it to retract into the interior space when not in use. The guide portion creates a pathway that enables the tray to be stored compactly within the apparatus, eliminating the need for external space during the closed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual feed tray transitions from a static external structure to a dynamic component that can move between extended and retracted positions. The guide portion enables smooth movement along an inclined path, allowing the tray to adapt its position based on operational needs while minimizing space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a manual feed tray is opened to the outside for sheet placement, then sheet access is improved, but additional components for sheet conveyance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the manual feed tray during movement, provides structural support, and creates the opening mechanism. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the design eliminates the need for separate conveyance mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion acts as a multi-functional element that enables tray movement, defines the opening pathway, and provides structural guidance. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized parts, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a manual feed tray that is provided at an opening in a sidewall of an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus and opens or closes the opening by an opening/closing operation; a guide portion that supports movement of the manual feed tray based on the opening/closing operation between a first position where the manual feed tray is upright along the sidewall to close the opening and a second position where the manual feed tray inclines toward outside of the apparatus body to open the opening, and guides the manual feed tray in the second position from the opening to within the apparatus body to retract the manual feed tray within the apparatus body; a sheet feed mechanism that feeds a sheet on the retracted manual feed tray; and an image forming device that forms an image on the sheet fed from the manual feed.