Pivotable Scanner and Retractable Feed Tray for Compact Printer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording apparatuses with manual paper feed trays often require users to visually align and insert sheets, which can be cumbersome due to the tray's height and placement, making it difficult to set sheets efficiently, especially when the tray is located at the rear of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a pivotable image reading device and a manually openable/closable paper feed tray, where the tray is positioned between the hinge members and can be adjusted to reduce its height, allowing for easier sheet placement and insertion without the need for visual alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the manual paper feed tray is made taller to provide sufficient sheet placement area, then the sheet placement area is improved, but the apparatus requires more depth space and cannot be placed in compact locations
Solution Approach 1:
The manual paper feed tray is made movable between a retracted position (stored within the apparatus) and an extended position (protruding outward). This dynamic configuration allows the tray to provide sufficient sheet placement area when needed while maintaining a compact apparatus depth when the tray is retracted, resolving the contradiction between sheet placement area and apparatus depth.
2Length of stationary object
If the manual paper feed tray is located at the rear of the apparatus to save space, then the apparatus compactness is improved, but the user cannot visually align and insert sheets easily
Solution Approach 1:
The manual paper feed tray is designed to extend outward from the rear of the apparatus when needed, transforming from a rear-located compact configuration to an extended accessible configuration. This allows the tray to maintain apparatus compactness when retracted while providing easy visual alignment and sheet insertion when extended, resolving the contradiction between apparatus compactness and sheet insertion ease.
3Length of stationary object
If the manual paper feed tray is made shorter to fit in compact spaces, then the apparatus depth is reduced, but the user must visually check the insertion section which is difficult when the tray is at the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The manual paper feed tray extends outward to bring the sheet placement area closer to the user when needed, eliminating the need for the user to lean over the entire length of the apparatus. This dynamic extension reduces sheet setting time by providing easy visual access while maintaining compact apparatus depth when the tray is retracted, resolving the contradiction between apparatus depth and sheet setting time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a printing device, an image reading device, two hinge members, and a feed tray. The printing device includes a printing unit configured to record an image on a sheet. The image reading device is disposed above the printing device and includes a scanner configured to read an image recorded on a sheet. The two hinge members are configured to connect the image reading device and the printing device such that the image reading device is pivotable with respect to the printing device. The feed tray, on which a sheet is to be placed, is disposed between the two hinge members. The printing device includes a feeder configured to feed the sheet placed on the feed tray into the printing unit.