Paper Feeder Lock Mechanism for Stopper Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic document feeding apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the regulating force of the stopper mechanism during non-paper feeding, leading to potential misalignment and instability in sheet conveyance, which can result in failed paper feeding operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a locking mechanism that secures the holder in the second position when not in use, utilizing a locking member with a locking claw that engages with an engagement projection to stabilize the stopper's regulation state, ensuring the stopper remains effective even under impact or vibration, and an interlocking mechanism that transitions the holder between paper feeding and non-paper feeding positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holder is left unlocked during non-paper feeding, then the structure remains simple and easy to operate, but the stopper's regulation force becomes unstable leading to misalignment and failed paper feeding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is positioned in advance to engage with the engagement projection on the holder, pre-establishing the locked state during non-paper feeding. This preliminary positioning ensures the stopper maintains stable regulation force without requiring complex active control systems during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary element between the holder and the housing, providing a simple mechanical interface that enables reliable positioning. The locking member with its locking claw engages the engagement projection, creating a stable connection that maintains stopper regulation force without adding significant structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the stopper is allowed to move freely during non-paper feeding, then the mechanism remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the sheet alignment accuracy deteriorates due to impact and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by preventing unwanted movement of the holder during non-paper feeding. The locking member secures the holder in position before external impacts or vibrations can occur, thereby maintaining sheet alignment accuracy without requiring complex active stabilization systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves as an intermediary that transmits and maintains the positional relationship between the holder and housing. This simple mechanical intermediary ensures the stopper remains in the correct position for accurate sheet alignment while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward.
3Reliability
If the holder is locked in position during non-paper feeding, then the stopper regulation state remains stable, but the transition to paper feeding position requires additional unlocking action
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing automatic transition between locked and unlocked states based on operational requirements. The locking member can be easily engaged or disengaged from the engagement projection, enabling smooth transitions between paper feeding and non-paper feeding modes without complex control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-servicing, where the holder's movement itself facilitates the locking and unlocking actions. As the holder moves to different positions, the locking member naturally engages or disengages from the engagement projection, reducing the need for separate control operations and simplifying user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feeder includes a housing, a driving unit, a sheet loading portion, a paper feeding unit, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is located in the housing. The paper feeding unit includes a pickup roller, a second shaft portion, a feed roller, a holder, and a stopper. The stopper is swingably supported in the holder, and is configured to change states between a regulation state and a permission state. The regulation state is a state that regulates entrance of the sheet to be loaded in the sheet loading portion into a side of the feed roller side corresponding to the second position of the holder. The permission state is a state that permits entrance of the sheet into the feed roller side corresponding to the first position of the holder. The lock mechanism locks the holder in the second position at a time of non-paper feeding.