Paper Transport Side Cover Structure With Protected Frame Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

The distal ends of frames in a paper transport device's internal structure can protrude and cause damage or safety hazards during replacement of the exterior cover, and existing mechanisms for securing the internal structure to the exterior cover are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A connecting member with an extending portion and overlapping portion is used to protect the distal ends of the frames, allowing separate fastening and increased torsional rigidity, and the exterior cover is designed to have a handle body with a hook portion for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the internal structure is separated from the exterior cover during exterior cover replacement, then the exterior cover can be replaced independently, but the distal end of each frame may protrude causing damage or safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexterior cover replacementVSAvoiddamage to distal end of frames
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side cover is segmented into two independent parts: the exterior cover and the internal structure. The exterior cover can be detached and replaced independently from the internal structure, allowing easy maintenance while protecting the frames' distal ends through the connecting member's extending portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member acts as an intermediary between the exterior cover and the internal structure. It includes an extending portion that protects the distal end of each frame while allowing the exterior cover to be separated and replaced independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the connecting member connects both distal ends of the pair of frames, then the internal structure gains increased rigidity and stability, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure stabilityVSAvoidconnecting member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the distal ends of both frames to provide structural stability, extends to protect the frames' distal ends from damage, and enables the exterior cover to be detached independently. This multi-functionality increases stability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4671873A1Paper transport device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4671873A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671873A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671873A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paper transport device includes: a paper transport path on which paper is transported; and a side cover that is rotatable about a support shaft with respect to a side surface of a device main body and is capable of being disposed at a closed position and an open position, in which the side cover is configured to form at least a part of the paper transport path between the side cover and the device main body at the closed position and to expose at least a part of the paper transport path at the open position, the side cover includes an exterior cover and an internal structure disposed on a device main body side of the exterior cover, the internal structure of the side cover includes a pair of frames disposed at an interval in a lateral direction in which the support shaft of the side cover extends, each of the pair of frames extends in a longitudinal direction intersecting the lateral direction, is fastened to the exterior cover, and includes a proximal end close to the support shaft of the side cover and a distal end far from the support shaft, the internal structure of the side cover includes a connecting member that connects the distal ends of the pair of frames to each other and extends in the lateral direction, and the connecting member includes an extending portion that extends outward in the longitudinal direction with respect to the distal end of each of the pair of frames.