Printer Tray Retraction for Error Clearance and Passage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses do not adequately address user friendliness by failing to retract the medium receiving tray promptly when errors occur or when not in use, potentially obstructing users during error clearance or passage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a medium detection unit and a control unit that switches the medium receiving tray from a protruding state to a housed state when errors are detected or when no medium is present, and adding a person presence detection sensor to initiate power saving mode and tray retraction upon user approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the medium receiving tray is kept in the protruding state to receive ejected medium, then the medium can be properly received, but the tray becomes obstructive when a person walks through the passage or during error clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The medium receiving tray is designed to dynamically change its position between protruding and housed states based on operational conditions. The control unit automatically switches the tray between these states using a power source, making the tray adaptive to different situations (recording operation vs. passage clearance vs. error handling) without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection units to monitor the recording operation status and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback (whether recording is ongoing or has stopped), the control unit automatically determines the appropriate tray state, creating a closed-loop control system that resolves the contradiction between maintaining tray functionality and ensuring passage clearance
2Ease of operation
If the tray is automatically retracted when no medium is present, then passage clearance is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects the presence/absence of medium on the tray, monitors recording operation status, and provides feedback for power management decisions. By making the detection system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the tray position based on medium detection and operation status without requiring manual user intervention. The control unit self-regulates the tray state based on feedback from the detection unit and power source status, making the system self-sufficient in resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If the tray remains protruding during recording standby state, then medium ejection is ready, but energy is wasted keeping the tray extended when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of the recording operation status through the detection unit. Based on this periodic feedback, the control unit periodically adjusts the tray position between protruding and housed states, creating a rhythm of activation and retraction that balances energy efficiency with operational readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively retracts the tray into the housed state when no recording operation is detected, preparing for energy-saving mode before power consumption becomes an issue. This preliminary action ensures that when the system needs to operate again, the tray can be quickly extended without wasting energy during idle periods
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes: a medium receiving tray that is switchable between a housed state of being retracted inside apparatus body that includes a recording unit and a protruding state of protruding from the apparatus body relative to the housed state; a power source that switches the medium receiving tray between the housed state and the protruding state; and a medium detection unit that detects whether there is the medium on the medium receiving tray or not. When an error is detected during execution of a recording job, a control unit, which controls the power source based on detection information of the medium detection unit, determines whether there is the medium on the medium receiving tray or not. When the control unit determines that there is no medium on the medium receiving tray, the control unit switches the medium receiving tray into the housed state.