Paper Feeding Tray Lock Mechanism for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in correctly setting paper on the tray of image forming apparatuses due to the presence of a stopper that can be accidentally moved during setup, leading to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a movable paper feeding tray and a lock mechanism that holds the paper at a predetermined position, preventing misalignment by engaging with a holder member to maintain the paper's correct position during both mounting and withdrawal operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stopper is provided on the intermediate tray to divide paper, then paper can be divided into two regions, but the stopper may be accidentally moved by user's hand during paper setting operation causing paper misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The paper feeding tray is divided into two functional regions: a paper setting region and a paper stacking region. This segmentation allows paper to be properly positioned during setting while providing a separate area for stacked paper, eliminating the need for a movable stopper that could be accidentally displaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic stopper component is completely removed from the system. Instead of using a stopper to divide the tray, the patent extracts this element and replaces it with a fixed structural division of the paper feeding tray into distinct setting and stacking regions, thereby eliminating the reliability issue while maintaining the paper division function.
2Productivity
If the paper feeding tray is made movable between mounted and withdrawn positions, then paper can be conveyed to the image forming unit, but the paper setting position may become unclear when the tray is in the withdrawn position
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary element that extends into the paper setting region regardless of whether the paper feeding tray is in the mounted or withdrawn position. This guide member serves as a visual and physical reference that mediates between the two tray positions, clearly indicating where paper should be set even when the tray is withdrawn for paper conveyance.
3Manufacturing precision
If a lock mechanism is added to hold the holder member at the first position, then paper alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to automatically perform the alignment function without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems. The guide member's fixed structure and strategic positioning allow it to self-service the paper alignment task, maintaining manufacturing precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body which includes an attachment portion, a standby tray which is provided adjacent to the attachment portion of the apparatus body and stacks a paper thereon, a paper feeding tray stacks the paper thereon, a movement mechanism which moves the paper from the paper feeding tray located at the mounted position onto the standby tray along the paper conveying path, a holder member which moves to a first position so as to hold the paper at a predetermined position on the paper feeding tray and moves to a second position so as to recede from the paper conveying path, and a lock mechanism which engages with the holder member so as to hold the holder member at the first position when the paper feeding tray is located at the withdrawn position.