Movable Supporting Member for Inkjet Paper Discharge Curvature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet type recording apparatuses face issues where the downstream end of a succeeding medium can abut and curve downward onto the upper surface of a preceding medium on a paper discharging tray, especially when post-processing devices like staplers are used, leading to ineffective handling of medium bundles.

Innovation Solution

A medium discharging device with a discharging roller and a paper discharging tray, featuring a supporting member that is movable between retreat and advance positions, with a friction coefficient equal to or lower than the placing surface, positioned to prevent the downstream end of the succeeding medium from directly contacting the upper surface of the preceding medium, thereby reducing curvature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a supporting member is added to prevent medium curvature, then medium handling quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium handling qualityVSAvoiddischarging device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A supporting member is introduced as an intermediary element between the discharging roller and the placing surface. This member provides temporary support to the downstream end of the medium during discharge, preventing it from curving downward onto the preceding medium. The supporting member acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining medium flatness and avoiding direct contact with the placing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member is designed to be movable between a retreat position (upstream side) and an advance position (downstream side). This dynamic positioning allows the supporting member to advance to support the medium during discharge and then retreat to allow the medium to be placed on the tray without interference. The movable nature resolves the contradiction by providing support only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the downstream end of the succeeding medium contacts the supporting member first, then curvature is reduced, but friction control becomes critical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium placement precisionVSAvoidfriction coefficient control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction coefficient of the supporting member's upper surface is specifically controlled to be equal to or lower than that of the placing surface. This parameter change ensures that when the downstream end of the succeeding medium contacts the supporting member, it experiences less friction and can slide smoothly without curving downward. By adjusting the friction parameter, the invention achieves precise medium placement without adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the supporting member is positioned to prevent medium contact with preceding medium, then medium bundle integrity is maintained, but the member may interfere with medium stacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium bundle integrityVSAvoidmedium stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member's ability to move between advance and retreat positions resolves the conflict between maintaining medium bundle integrity and enabling smooth stacking. During discharge, the member advances to support the medium and prevent contact with the preceding medium, maintaining bundle integrity. After discharge, the member retreats to avoid interfering with the medium being placed on the tray, ensuring ease of stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member performs preliminary support action by advancing to the downstream position before the succeeding medium is discharged. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the medium is discharged, the supporting member is already in place to prevent curvature and maintain bundle integrity, without interfering with subsequent stacking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 prevents the downstream end of the succeeding medium from curving downward by ensuring it contacts the supporting member with a lower friction coefficient before the preceding medium, maintaining a more acute angle and reducing interference during medium stacking and processing.

Implementation Method 1

a friction coefficient of an upper surface of the supporting member is equal to or lower than a friction coefficient of the placing surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction coefficient: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10814647B2Medium discharging device

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A medium discharging device includes a paper discharging tray that is disposed below a height position of a discharging roller which discharges a medium and includes a placing surface on which the medium discharged by the discharging roller is placed, and a supporting member that is configured to be movable between a retreat position on an upstream side and an advance position on a downstream side between the discharging roller and the placing surface.