Printer Tray Tilting Prevention via Segmented Guides

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing slide tray structures in printing apparatuses suffer from operability issues due to tilting during storage and retrieval, which affects the efficiency and ease of use, especially when the tray is biased to either side.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a first and second guide unit to facilitate smooth sliding and a pair of regulating portions to prevent tilting in the widthwise direction, ensuring the tray remains stable and centered during pull-out and storage operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the tray is designed to be pulled out and stored by sliding, then the space occupied by the printing apparatus is reduced, but the tray may tilt during storage which deteriorates operability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by printing apparatusVSAvoidoperability of tray

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is divided into a first guide unit and a second guide unit that are spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction of the tray. This segmentation allows each guide unit to independently guide the tray, preventing tilting while maintaining the pull-out storage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide units act as intermediary structures between the tray and the container. They mediate the sliding motion of the tray, ensuring it moves smoothly in the pull-out direction while preventing lateral tilting through their spaced-apart configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the user pushes the tray at a biased position, then the tray can be tilted to left or right directions, but this expands the storage space in the widthwise direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in pushing positionVSAvoidstorage space in widthwise direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide units are designed to dynamically adapt to the user's pushing position. Regardless of where the user pushes the tray, the guide units maintain contact and guide the tray smoothly, allowing flexible pushing positions without requiring additional widthwise storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide units are spaced apart asymmetrically in the widthwise direction, creating a stable triangular support structure with the tray. This asymmetric spacing prevents tilting even when force is applied at biased positions, eliminating the need for expanded storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11345172B2Printing apparatus and tray unit

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a tray on which a sheet is to be stacked, a container configured to store the tray such that the tray can be pulled out, a first guide unit configured to guide a slide of the tray in a pull-out direction, a second guide unit spaced apart from the first guide unit in a widthwise direction, a first regulating portion provided in the container and configured to regulate, by abutting against the tray, a tilt of the tray to one direction in the widthwise direction; and a second regulating portion provided in the container and configured to regulate, by abutting against the tray, a tilt of the tray to the other direction in the widthwise direction.