Printer Tray Guide Segmentation for Vibration Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers experience uncomfortable vibrations when the medium receiving tray protrudes, and existing motor-driven structures require precise protrusion to function properly, leading to potential operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a medium receiving tray that uses a guide system with distinct guide areas, including a narrowing area in the second guide area to restrict movement and reduce vibration, and a detector to ensure proper protrusion detection, allowing for effective vibration suppression and precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the medium receiving tray is driven by a motor to protrude from the housing, then the tray can be positioned properly to receive medium, but the tray vibrates vertically when external force is applied, causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into a first guide area and a second guide area, with the second guide area containing a narrowing area that restricts movement of the guided portion. This segmentation allows different degrees of freedom in different regions: the first guide area allows smooth protrusion movement, while the second guide area with its narrowing area suppresses vertical vibration by limiting movement in that direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure has different properties in different areas. The narrowing area in the second guide area creates a localized constraint that specifically targets vertical vibration suppression at the critical protrusion position, while other areas maintain smoother movement characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the movement path of the guided portion is made narrower to suppress vibration, then vertical vibration is reduced, but the load against movement of the guided portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into distinct areas with different constraint levels. The narrowing area is localized to specific regions where vibration suppression is most needed, rather than uniformly constraining the entire guide path. This allows vibration suppression at critical points while maintaining easier movement in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure applies different levels of constraint locally. The narrowing area provides strong constraint to suppress vibration, while other areas of the guide maintain broader movement paths that reduce loading on the guided portion during normal operation.
3Measurement precision
If the guide structure is made more complex to achieve precise protrusion control, then proper protrusion can be ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure itself provides the protrusion detection function through its geometric design. The narrowing area in the second guide area naturally defines the protrusion position and detects when the medium receiving tray has reached the proper protrusion state, eliminating the need for separate sensors or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure uses changes in geometric parameters (width of the guide path) to achieve both positioning and detection functions. The transition from the first guide area to the narrowing area in the second guide area creates a clear geometric indicator of proper protrusion, simplifying the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes: a housing; a recording device that is provided inside the housing; a medium receiving tray moves between a first position and a second position, the first position being housed inside the housing, the second position being a position of protruding from the housing; a guide for guiding the medium receiving tray; and a guided portion of the medium receiving tray being guided by the guide, wherein the guide includes a first guide area and a second guide area, wherein the first guide area is guiding the guided portion from the first position to a third position that is located between the first position and the second position before the second position, wherein the second guide area is guiding the guided portion from the third position to the second position, and wherein the second guide area includes a narrowing area narrower than the first guide area.