Pivotable Rear Cover with Engagement Feature for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in securely holding a rear cover in a closed position without the need for an exclusive lock member while also ensuring it is easy to manually open and close for removing jammed sheets without excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a pivotable rear cover that includes an urging member and an engagement portion, allowing the cover to be securely held in a closed state without a lock member, and easily opened by a user through a manual operative portion, enabling smooth operation between closed and open states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rear cover is securely held at the closed position using a lock member, then the reliability of the cover remaining closed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional lock mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion on the rear cover automatically engages with the frame at the closed position without requiring any additional locking mechanism. The cover itself provides the locking function through its geometric design, where the engagement portion fits into a corresponding recess in the frame, creating a self-locking effect that maintains closure reliability while avoiding added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rear cover is designed to be pivotable between closed and open states, with the engagement portion dynamically transitioning between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic design allows the cover to be securely held when closed while remaining easy to open manually, eliminating the need for complex lock mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the rear cover is designed to be easily opened manually, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing accidental opening during sheet transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movement from closed to open state is segmented into two distinct phases: first, the cover pivots from the closed position to an intermediate position where the engagement portion disengages from the frame; second, the cover continues pivoting to the fully open position. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily initiated for opening while maintaining reliability during the transition, as the engagement portion only disengages when deliberately moved to the intermediate position
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable design creates a dynamic system where the cover can be easily moved from closed to open state through manual force, while the engagement portion provides automatic re-engagement tendency when returning to closed state. This dynamic behavior ensures easy operation while preventing accidental opening, as the cover naturally returns to and maintains the closed position through the engagement 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
The solution ensures the rear cover remains securely closed without additional locking mechanisms and can be easily opened by users, enhancing operational ease and reducing the risk of accidental opening during sheet transport, thus improving user interaction and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member. The cover is movable while in the closed state between a first position and a second position lower than the first position. The urging member urges the cover in an urging direction from the second position toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
In a transport device, a cover defining a portion of a transport path is pivotable between a closed state and an open state. The cover is movable while in the closed state between a first position and a second position lower than the first position. An urging member urges the cover from the second position toward the first position. The cover includes a main body for guiding the sheet in the transport direction and an engagement portion engaged with a frame when the cover is at the first position to restrict pivoting of the cover from the first position to a third position at which the cover is in the open state. The engagement portion is disengaged from the frame when the cover is at the second position to allow pivoting of the cover from the second position to the third position.