Paper Tray Cover Layout for Long-Sheet Toner and Dust Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization while accommodating both standard and long sheets, with protection from toner and dust being inadequate for sheets that protrude outside the main body.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus features a loading tray that can transition between normal and extended states, accompanied by a first and second cover portion that move in conjunction with the tray, ensuring comprehensive protection from toner and dust, even when long sheets are loaded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a loading tray is extended to accommodate long sheets, then the apparatus can handle both standard and long sheets, but the height of the main body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle both standard and long sheetsVSAvoidheight of the main body

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tray is divided into a main body portion and an extension portion that can be pulled out independently. This segmentation allows the extension portion to provide additional length for long sheets without increasing the height of the main body, as the extension is achieved through horizontal displacement rather than vertical expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension portion is designed to be movable relative to the main body portion, transitioning between retracted and extended states. This dynamic configuration allows the loading tray to adapt its length based on the sheet size being used, while maintaining a compact height when the extension is retracted, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a dustproof cover is provided to protect protruding sheets, then protection from dust and smudging is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from dust and smudgingVSAvoidstructure of cover and tray components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dustproof cover is merged with the extension portion of the loading tray, forming an integrated structure where the cover is positioned above the extension. This combination ensures that when the extension is pulled out for long sheets, the dustproof cover automatically provides protection, eliminating the need for separate protective mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dustproof cover acts as an intermediary element between the extension portion and the external environment. It provides a protective barrier that prevents dust and smudging from affecting sheets in the extension area, while its simple plate-like structure maintains low device complexity by using a straightforward protective component rather than a complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a plate-like protection member is arranged above the loading tray, then protection from falling toner is improved, but the height of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from falling tonerVSAvoidheight of the apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The first cover portion is positioned locally above the loading tray area where toner protection is needed, rather than providing comprehensive coverage throughout the entire apparatus. This localized placement provides effective protection from falling toner while minimizing the increase in overall apparatus height, as the cover is confined to the specific region where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing height vertically to provide protection, the solution uses horizontal positioning of the first cover portion above the loading tray. The protection is achieved by placing the cover in the horizontal plane above the tray area, allowing toner protection without significant vertical expansion of the apparatus structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260044106A1Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 CANON KK

AI summary

First and second cover portions are arranged above a loading tray and below a transfer belt and overlap a loading surface and the transfer belt. When the loading tray in an extension state moves from a pulled-out position to a mounted position, the second cover portion moves in a mounting direction by movement of the loading tray. When the loading tray in the extension state is located in the mounted position, a protruding portion of the loading tray is located downstream of the housing in the mounting direction, and the second cover portion covers the protruding portion from above. When the loading tray is located in the mounted position, at least a part of the second cover portion has an area located downstream of a first cover downstream end in the mounting direction and overlapping the transfer belt and the loading surface, viewed in the direction of gravitational force.