Opening and Closing Assembly with Oval Gripped Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, such as multifunction devices, face challenges in maintaining the image reading unit in an open position without rapid pivoting towards the image recording unit, particularly due to the lack of effective mechanisms to prevent sudden movements.
Innovation Solution
An opening and closing assembly comprising a first and second casing with a support stand that includes a gripped portion with an oval cross-section, allowing for controlled sliding friction between the support stand and the casings, which maintains the second casing in an open position by adjusting the distance between the casings to prevent sudden rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a friction member is used at the end of the support stand to prevent rapid pivoting, then the image reading unit can be prevented from rapidly pivoting toward the image recording unit, but the mechanism becomes more complex and the friction member may cause wear and stability issues over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the friction member from the support stand mechanism entirely. Instead of using a friction-based damping approach, the invention extracts this element and replaces it with a pure mechanical guidance structure consisting of the support stand with first and second portions, where the second portion is guided by guide grooves in the guide portions of the casings. This simplifies the mechanism while achieving the same reliability goal through geometric constraints rather than friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide portions and guide grooves as intermediary elements between the support stand and the casings. These guide structures act as mediators that constrain the movement of the support stand's second portion, allowing controlled pivoting while preventing rapid unwanted movements. This intermediary mechanical guidance system replaces the need for friction-based damping and provides more reliable, wear-free operation.
2Device complexity
If the support stand uses a simple pivot connection, then the structure is simpler, but the second casing cannot be maintained in a stable open position and may rapidly pivot closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic support mechanism where the support stand can pivot smoothly between closed and open positions, but the guide portions and guide grooves dynamically constrain the movement to prevent rapid pivoting. The first portion of the support stand pivots relative to the first casing, while the second portion is guided by the grooves, creating a controlled dynamic system that maintains stability in the open position while allowing intentional opening and closing movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional constraint by introducing guide grooves that restrict the second portion of the support stand to move along a specific path. This geometric constraint in another dimension (the guidance direction) prevents unwanted rapid pivoting while allowing controlled movement in the intended direction, thereby achieving stability without increasing overall structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the distal end portion of the support stand is made slender for easy sliding, then the sliding is smoother, but the gripping force between the wall portions and the distal end portion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the distal end portion of the support stand have a specific cross-sectional shape (oval or rectangular with rounded corners) that is optimized for both sliding and gripping. The cross-sectional dimensions are carefully selected so that the portion is slender enough to slide smoothly in the guide grooves but has sufficient width and height to be properly gripped by the wall portions, achieving both ease of operation and adequate gripping force through localized geometric optimization.
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 supports the second casing in an open position, reducing the likelihood of sudden movements and enhancing user experience by providing a secure and stable mechanism for transitioning between open and closed positions.
Implementation Method 1
a distal end portion that is slidably connected to the other of the first and second casings
Data Source
AI summary
An opening and closing assembly includes a first casing, a second casing pivotally coupled to the first casing, and a support stand configured to support the second casing. The support stand includes a proximal end portion pivotally connected to one of the first and second casings, and a distal end portion slidably connected to the other thereof. The other of the first and second casings includes a guide portion for guiding the distal end portion, and first and second wall portions. The distal end portion includes a gripped portion gripped between the first and second wall portions, the gripped portion has a cross section having a width which increases, from one end of the cross section, to a maximum width and decreases from the maximum width until the other end of the cross section. The maximum width causes the first and second wall portions to be spaced apart.