Movable Tray Unit for Sheet Handling in Image Recorders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices have limitations in usability due to the complexity and inefficiency of tray systems, particularly in handling multiple types of sheets and ensuring proper discharge mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tray unit with a main tray, a second tray that moves between positions, and a discharge tray, allowing for selective feeding and discharge of sheets, enhancing usability by integrating the second tray's movement with the discharge tray's operation to prevent accidental loading and improve sheet handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second tray is added to hold different sheet sizes, then the device can handle multiple sheet types, but the tray structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a sheet holding tray and a discharge tray. By moving between a first position (for feeding sheets) and a second position (for receiving discharged sheets), it eliminates the need for a separate dedicated discharge tray, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The second tray is configured to be movable between two positions rather than being fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the tray to adapt its function based on position, enabling it to switch between feeding and discharge roles, thus reducing structural complexity while handling multiple sheet types
2Volume of moving object
If the second tray is positioned close to the feeder, then the device size is reduced, but incorrect loading may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray's movable design between first and second positions provides clear spatial separation between feeding and discharge operations. When in the first position, it is close to the feeder for compactness; when in the second position, it moves away to prevent confusion, thus maintaining both compact size and loading accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates the second tray's position with the feeding operation. It ensures the tray is in the correct position before feeding occurs and moves it to the appropriate position afterward, preventing incorrect loading while maintaining compact device dimensions
3Ease of operation
If the second tray moves between positions, then discharge operation is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray serves dual purposes as both a feeding tray and a discharge tray. By moving to the second position, it functions as the discharge tray, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated discharge tray and its associated complex mechanisms, thus simplifying the overall system while improving discharge operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the feeding tray and discharge tray into a single second tray. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and mechanisms needed, simplifying the overall structure while enabling improved discharge operation through positional switching
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit.