Printer Tray Relief Section for Compact Storage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing recording apparatuses face an issue of increased size due to the storage state of the medium receiving tray, which occupies space inside the device, leading to a larger apparatus footprint.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus design featuring a medium receiving tray with a relief section that avoids the feeding unit, allowing it to be stored inside the apparatus while still being able to protrude and receive discharged media, thus preventing the need for overlapping in the height direction and reducing the overall height of the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the medium receiving tray is stored inside the recording apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the tray occupies space inside the apparatus causing increased overall dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space of the trayVSAvoiddimensions of the apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The medium receiving tray is divided into a body portion and a medium receiving surface portion, allowing independent positioning and optimization of each segment to resolve the space conflict

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is designed to slide in the medium discharging direction (horizontal dimension) rather than being fixed in the height direction, transforming the storage problem from vertical stacking to horizontal displacement, thereby reducing apparatus height while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the medium receiving tray protrudes from the apparatus body, then the receiving surface area is increased, but the apparatus footprint is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiving surface of the trayVSAvoidfootprint of the apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The medium receiving tray is designed as a movable component that can slide between storage and protrusion positions, allowing the receiving surface area to be expanded only when needed, thereby maintaining a compact footprint during storage while providing adequate receiving area during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of stationary object

If the feeding unit and medium receiving tray are overlapped in the height direction, then the apparatus height is reduced, but the medium discharge path is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight of the apparatusVSAvoidmedium discharge path

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is segmented into body and receiving surface portions, with the relief section created by removing material in the body portion, allowing the feeding unit to pass through without obstruction while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A relief section is extracted from the body portion of the tray, creating a clearance space that removes the obstruction to the medium discharge path while maintaining the overall compact structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9278553B2Recording apparatus with medium receiving tray having recess for storing feeding unit

Publication Date: 2016.03.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer includes a configuration, in which a paper is delivered between a recording head which is positioned upwards from a tray and a support member, and the recording is performed, and then the paper is discharged towards a discharged-paper receiving tray. The discharged-paper receiving tray is configured such that a relief section is formed to avoid an arrangement region of an oscillation member configuring a feeding unit upstream thereof, and the oscillation member is able to oscillate inside the relief section.