Printer Tray Blocking Mechanism Prevents Sheet Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low-profile printers, recording sheets can get jammed between the medium receiving tray and the printer frame during retraction, leading to system errors and difficulty in removing the jammed sheets without damaging the printer's internal mechanisms, especially when small-sized media is used.
Innovation Solution
A blocking mechanism is implemented to prevent unremoved recording sheets from being drawn inside the printer during tray retraction, using rib portions, protruding portions, slits, or flaps to engage with the trailing edge of the sheet and restrict its movement, ensuring the sheet sticks out and is easily noticeable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray is retracted in the direction opposite to the medium discharge direction, then the printer can return to its initial position, but the recording sheets are drawn inside together with the tray causing jamming and system errors
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into a tray body and a blocking mechanism that can independently engage with the sheet. The blocking mechanism includes protruding portions that extend from the tray body to engage with the trailing edge of the sheet, separating the tray's returning motion from the sheet's remaining position.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the tray and the sheet. It engages with the sheet's trailing edge to prevent the sheet from being drawn inside while allowing the tray to retract normally. The blocking mechanism mediates the interaction between the tray's motion and the sheet's position.
2Reliability
If the recording sheet is jammed between the tray and the frame, then the sheet remains inside the printer, but the tray is locked halfway and the printer cannot confirm tray return, resulting in system error
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism extracts the sheet from the potential jamming zone by engaging with its trailing edge. This prevents the sheet from entering the gap between the tray and frame, eliminating the cause of system error and enabling normal tray position confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism performs a preliminary action by engaging with the sheet's trailing edge before the tray completes its retraction. This preliminary engagement prevents the sheet from being drawn inside, avoiding the need for complex troubleshooting later.
3Ease of operation
If the tray is forcibly pulled out to remove the jammed sheet, then the sheet can be removed, but the driving mechanism engaged with the tray may be damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism serves as a protective intermediary between the user and the driving mechanism. It provides a safe point for sheet removal (the trailing edge engaged by the blocking mechanism) that does not require forcing the tray, thereby protecting the driving mechanism from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking mechanism is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily damaged or replaced if needed, rather than protecting the expensive driving mechanism. This design philosophy allows the blocking mechanism to absorb the impact of user operations while preserving the integrity of the more valuable driving mechanism.
4Volume of moving object
If a multi-level tray structure is used, then the printer occupies smaller space when not in use, but the sheet discharge slot becomes narrow making it difficult to take out small-sized recording sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism segments the tray structure by adding protruding portions that engage with the sheet's trailing edge. This segmentation creates a functional separation between the tray body (which can be retracted) and the sheet engagement point (which remains accessible), solving the space occupation issue without compromising sheet removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a medium, a discharge unit that discharges the medium that has undergone the recording operation by the recording unit, a medium receiving tray that receives the medium discharged from the discharge unit, the medium receiving tray being shiftable between a first state in which the medium receiving tray is drawn out in a medium discharge direction and a second state in which the medium receiving tray is retracted in a direction opposite to the medium discharge direction, and a blocking mechanism configured to be engaged with the trailing edge of the medium while the medium receiving tray is shifted from the first state to the second state, and to restrict the medium from being drawn inside.