Pivotable Member and Clutch Mechanism for Sheet Tray Operability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus requires a high retaining force to maintain the sheet supply tray in place, which increases the operational difficulty during installation and removal, leading to decreased operability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pivotable member and a clutch mechanism that transmits driving force to the feed roller when the sheet supply tray is attached, allowing for a vertical contact force to stabilize the tray, reducing the need for a strong retaining mechanism and minimizing the force required for installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a retaining mechanism is provided to retain the sheet supply tray position, then the tray position stability is improved, but the force required for mounting and removing the tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pivotable member that can dynamically change its orientation between a first position (when tray is removed) and a second position (when tray is attached). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the clutch mechanism to adapt its engagement state based on tray position, enabling the retaining mechanism to provide strong retention force during normal operation while minimizing resistance during mounting and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable member acts as an intermediary element between the clutch mechanism and the sheet supply tray. It mediates the interaction by converting the vertical contact force from the tray into a pivoting motion that engages or disengages the clutch mechanism, thereby controlling the transmission of driving force to the feed roller based on tray attachment state without requiring excessive retention force.
2Productivity
If the clutch mechanism transmits driving force when the tray is attached, then the image forming operation is improved, but the force required to separate the contact portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable member dynamically reorients itself based on tray attachment state. When the tray is attached, the member pivots to the second position where the contact portion engages with the clutch mechanism to transmit driving force. When the tray is removed, the member pivots to the first position where the contact portion is separated from the clutch mechanism, automatically cutting off driving force transmission without requiring additional separation force.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable member automatically responds to the tray attachment state and self-adjusts its position accordingly. The vertical contact force from the tray weight itself serves to pivot the member into the engagement position, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms or additional forces to engage or disengage the clutch mechanism.
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
This configuration reduces the operational force needed for mounting and removing the sheet supply tray, enhancing the installation and removal process by minimizing the retaining force required, thus improving operability.
Implementation Method 1
the spring exerts an elastic force on the sheet supply tray in a direction to separate the sheet supply tray from the main body
Implementation Method 2
pivot from a first position to a second position by the contact portion of the pivotable member receiving a force having the vertical direction from the contact portion of the sheet supply tray
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a main body including the image forming unit and having an opening open in a horizontal direction, a sheet supply tray including a contact portion, a retaining mechanism disposed at the main body, a feed roller disposed at the main body, a pivotable member disposed at the main body and including a contact portion, and a clutch mechanism. The pivotable member is configured to, when the sheet supply tray is attached to the main body, pivot from a first position to a second position by the contact portion of the pivotable member receiving a force having the vertical direction from the contact portion of the sheet supply tray. The clutch mechanism is configured to allow or cut-off transmission of a driving force to the feed roller in response to the sheet supply tray relative to the main body.