Medium Cassette Locking Member Impact Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with maintaining the position of the regulating member when a large force is applied, leading to potential shifting and compromising handling properties.
Innovation Solution
A medium cassette with a rear side guide and a locking member that converts movement generated by impact into a locking mechanism engagement, enhancing the locking force without increasing the locking member's force, allowing for secure positioning without sacrificing handling properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the locking member is configured to engage with the body of the medium cassette with a relatively large force to prevent shifting, then the position stability of the regulating member is improved, but the handling property such as adjusting the position of the regulating member deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to dynamically change its locking force based on operational conditions. During normal operation, it maintains strong engagement to prevent shifting. During insertion, the movement conversion member temporarily reduces the locking force by converting insertion movement into locking member displacement, allowing easy handling without requiring excessive force to maintain position stability.
2Reliability
If the locking force of the locking member is increased to maintain position under impact, then the position stability is improved, but the handling property deteriorates due to increased locking force requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The movement conversion member converts the harmful impact force during insertion into a beneficial effect by automatically adjusting the locking member's engagement position. The insertion movement is transformed into a force that temporarily disengages or loosens the locking member, allowing smooth insertion without requiring high locking force, while maintaining strong position stability during normal operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the regulating member is attached with a relatively large force to prevent shifting from regular position, then the position accuracy is improved, but the ease of adjusting the position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member's engagement force is made dynamic rather than static. During insertion, the movement conversion member causes the locking member to temporarily reduce its engagement force, making it easy to adjust position. During normal operation, the locking member maintains strong engagement to ensure position accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and position precision.
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 solution effectively maintains the position of the regulating member under impact, ensuring accurate positioning without excessive locking force, thus improving handling and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a movement conversion member for converting a movement of the rear side guide generated by an impact when the medium cassette is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus to a movement of the locking member in a direction that the locking member engages with the body of the medium cassette
Data Source
AI summary
A medium cassette is configured to be held and attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus so that the medium cassette slides in an insertion direction or a pullout direction relative to the image forming apparatus. The medium cassette includes a rear side guide for guiding a medium to be placed at a rear side in the pullout direction; a locking member disposed to be able to engage with a body of the medium cassette for regulating a position of the rear side guide relative to the body of the medium cassette; and a movement conversion member for converting a movement of the rear side guide generated by an impact when the medium cassette is attached to the body of the image forming apparatus to a movement of the locking member in a direction that the locking member engages with the body of the medium cassette.