Printer Tray Reset Mechanism Preventing Unintentional Open States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses lack an effective mechanism to automatically reset manual feed trays to a closed position, leading to unintentional open states, which can result in paper jams and dust intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a pivotal member and a resetting device that cancels the pressing force of the pivotal member when it pivots from the open to closed position, ensuring the tray member is reset to the closed position, utilizing a biasing device to maintain the tray in the correct position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pivotal member is made to pivot from the open position to the closed position, then the tray member should be reset to the closed position, but the tray member may remain unintentionally open
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device applies a preliminary counteracting force to the tray member when the pivotal member pivots from open to closed position. This preliminary anti-action prevents the tray member from remaining unintentionally open by actively resetting it to the closed position, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resetting device functions as a feedback mechanism that detects the position of the pivotal member and automatically adjusts the tray member accordingly. When the pivotal member returns to closed position, the resetting device receives feedback and actuates to reset the tray member, ensuring reliable position control without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the pivotal member presses the tray member to the open position during pivoting, then the tray member opens reliably, but the tray member cannot be automatically reset when the pivotal member closes
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pivotal member and the tray member. It receives the motion of the pivotal member and translates it into the appropriate resetting action for the tray member, enabling automatic reset functionality without directly coupling the pivotal member to the tray member's closing motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the pivotal member for opening action, the resetting device for reset action, and the tray member as the operated component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the resetting device adding the necessary reset capability without complicating the primary opening mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If manual feed trays are left open unintentionally, then access is maintained, but paper jams and dust intrusion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting device enables the tray member to reset itself automatically when the pivotal member returns to closed position, without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures the tray is properly closed to prevent paper jams and dust intrusion, while maintaining ease of operation during intentional opening.
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
Prevents manual feed trays from being unintentionally left open, reducing the risk of paper jams and dust intrusion by automatically resetting the trays to the closed position, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the resetting device may include a biasing device, and apply, when the pivotal member is moved toward the open position, a biasing force of the biasing device to the tray member so as to urge the tray member toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a pivotal member provided on a casing so as to pivot between a closed position in which the pivotal member covers at least a part of the casing and an open position in which the pivotal member is away from the closed position, a tray member disposed so as to pivot with respect to the casing and to be pressed to the open position by a pivoting motion of the pivotal member toward the open position, and a resetting device that cancels the pressing force of the pivotal member when the pivotal member is made to pivot toward the closed position, to thereby reset the tray member to the closed position.