Pivotable Sheet Guide for Compact Feeding Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding apparatuses for image forming devices require a larger horizontal width due to the fixed guide position, leading to increased size of both the sheet feeding apparatus and the image forming apparatus, as the guide must be positioned upstream of the separation roller pair to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a pivotable guide that moves in relation to the opening/closing member, allowing the guide to be positioned inside the apparatus body when closed, reducing the horizontal width required and enabling downsizing by restricting the guide's pivot with an abutted portion, thus allowing the opening/closing member to be positioned further downstream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide is fixed to the apparatus body, then the guide can be positioned upstream of the separation roller pair to avoid interference, but the horizontal width of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is made movable relative to the apparatus body through a pivot mechanism. The guide can change its position between a first position (when the opening/closing member is opened) and a second position (when the opening/closing member is closed), allowing it to adapt to different spatial requirements without increasing the overall apparatus width
Solution Approach 2:
The guide is positioned inside the apparatus body when the opening/closing member is closed, nesting the guide within the apparatus boundaries. This allows the guide to be accommodated within the existing apparatus footprint rather than extending outward, reducing the horizontal width requirement
2Area of stationary object
If the guide is made movable to reduce horizontal width, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the guide positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The abutted portion is pre-positioned on the apparatus body to define the second position of the guide when the opening/closing member is closed. This preliminary positioning structure ensures that the guide automatically assumes the correct position without requiring active control or complex positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The abutted portion acts as an intermediary element between the guide and the apparatus body. It provides a fixed reference point that ensures precise positioning of the guide in the second position, maintaining positioning precision while enabling the guide's movable functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body including an abutting portion, an opening/closing member, a stacking member, a feeding member, a conveyance unit including a separation portion, and a guide configured to guide a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the feeding member from the stacking member toward the separation portion. The guide includes a supported portion supported pivotably by the apparatus body and an abutted portion configured to be abutted against the abutting portion. The guide is configured to move in interrelation with an operation of closing the opening/closing member and to be positioned inside the apparatus body with respect to the opening/closing member in the closed state of the opening/closing member. In the opened state of the opening/closing member, the guide is configured to be restricted from pivoting by the abutted portion being abutted against the abutting portion.