Printer Tray Drawer Handle Engagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-function printers face challenges in designing a simple and cost-effective engagement mechanism for their tray drawers due to limited space, leading to complexity and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A tray drawer with a handle and elastic element, where the handle includes a first engagement portion that projects from a position-limit portion when locked, engaging with a second engagement portion on the printer's main body, allowing for secure attachment without relative motion and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement mechanism is made simple to reduce design difficulty and cost, then the tray drawer may detach from the main body, but if the engagement mechanism is made complex to ensure secure attachment, then the design difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves multiple functions: it is both the user interface for pulling the tray drawer and the engagement component that secures it to the main body. The first engagement portion is integrated into the handle structure, combining the handling function and the engagement function into a single component, thereby achieving secure attachment without increasing mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically engages the first engagement portion with the second engagement portion when the tray drawer is pushed in, and automatically disengages when pulled out by the user. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators, sensors, or control systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable attachment
2Volume of moving object
If the tray drawer space is increased to improve sheet capacity, then the engagement mechanism requires more space, but if the tray drawer space is limited, then the engagement mechanism becomes difficult to design
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are designed to engage in a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the tray drawer. The first engagement portion projects from the handle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pulling direction, allowing engagement to occur in the vertical or lateral dimension rather than consuming horizontal space within the tray drawer
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure and easy-to-manufacture tray drawer system that reduces the risk of detachment and simplifies the design process, while allowing for efficient handling and easy access for sheet replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element connects the first engagement portion to the tray body
Data Source
AI summary
A tray drawer and a multi-function printer using the same are provided. The drawer includes a tray body, a handle and an elastic element. The handle is connected to the tray body and includes a handle portion and a first engagement portion. The first engagement portion is connected to the handle portion, wherein when the tray body is at a lock state, the first engagement projects from a first position-limit portion. The elastic element connects the first engagement portion to the tray body. There is no relative motion between the first engagement portion and the handle portion.