Movable Guide Portion for Printer Manual Feeding Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recording apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, the intersection of manual feeding paths and automatic transport paths often results in increased paper sheet insertion resistance due to directional changes, leading to incorrect insertion and potential transport errors, which complicates the design and reduces feeding precision.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a guide portion that moves to broaden the area at the meeting point between the manual feeding path and the transport path, reducing insertion resistance without altering the automatic transport path's shape, and utilizing a restriction member to regulate deflection and prevent skew, allowing for simple configuration without sensors or driving sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the manual feeding path changes direction at the meeting portion to intersect with the transport path, then the paper sheet can be fed from the opening portion to the recording portion, but the insertion resistance increases and feeding precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the feeding mode. When a paper sheet is inserted manually, the guide portion moves to a first position that reduces insertion resistance. When the paper sheet is sent by the feeding mechanism, the guide portion moves to a second position that maintains proper alignment with the transport path.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion automatically moves between positions based on the presence and type of feeding operation, without requiring external sensors or control systems. The movement is driven by the interaction between the paper sheet and the guide portion itself, allowing the system to self-adjust to the appropriate configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the guide portion is made movable to reduce insertion resistance, then manual feeding ease is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion moves automatically based on the feeding operation type without requiring sensors, motors, or control systems. The movement is driven by the physical interaction between the paper sheet and the guide portion, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms while still achieving dynamic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion changes its positional parameter based on the feeding mode. By moving between two discrete positions, the system achieves adaptive behavior without requiring continuous control or complex mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cassette side transport path intersects with the manual feeding path at a predetermined angle, then the linear transport path is maintained, but the paper sheet bending and insertion resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion dynamically adjusts its position to accommodate the angled intersection of the transport path with the manual feeding path. When a paper sheet is inserted manually, the guide portion moves to reduce the effective angle of intersection, minimizing bending. This dynamic adjustment allows the transport path to maintain its stable linear configuration while reducing harmful bending effects.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a recording apparatus which includes a recording portion which performs recording on a medium, a transport path which extends to the recording portion, a feeding mechanism which sends the medium to the transport path, a manual feeding path which meets the transport path in such a manner that an extending direction of the manual feeding path changes to intersect the transport path and, a guide portion which is disposed in a meeting portion between the transport path and the manual feeding path. When the medium is sent back by the feeding mechanism, the guide portion does not move and, when the medium is inserted into the manual feeding path, the guide portion moves in a direction in which the guide portion is broadened.