Recording Apparatus Medium Feeding Unit Overlap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recording apparatuses with both rear feeding devices and reverse paths face challenges in miniaturization due to increased height dimensions when the rear feeding device is positioned above the reverse path.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus incorporates a medium feeding unit with a downward slope and a reversing unit, where the guide unit overlaps with the power transmission unit in the vertical direction, allowing the feeding unit to be positioned at a lower height, and a second guide unit forming a downward slope on the upper side, which further miniaturizes the apparatus by reducing height and depth dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear feeding device is disposed on an upper side of the reverse path, then the medium feeding unit can be positioned above the reversing unit, but the height dimension of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional reorganization by allowing the first guide unit to overlap with the power transmission unit in the vertical direction, and positioning the medium feeding unit at a lower height position. This spatial rearrangement in the vertical dimension enables the rear feeding device to be integrated without increasing the overall apparatus height, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compact height dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The first guide unit is positioned to overlap with the power transmission unit in the vertical direction, creating a nested spatial arrangement where components occupy the same vertical space. This nesting principle allows the medium feeding unit to be disposed at a lower position while maintaining functional separation, thereby reducing the apparatus height without compromising operational ease.
2Length of stationary object
If the power transmission unit is disposed in the space formed on the side of the second direction of the medium supporting unit, then the apparatus depth dimension is reduced, but the medium feeding unit positioning becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission unit is positioned in the space formed on the second direction side of the medium supporting unit, utilizing the available spatial volume in the depth direction. This dimensional placement reduces the apparatus depth dimension while the overlapping vertical arrangement of the first guide unit with the power transmission unit manages the spatial constraints, balancing depth reduction with acceptable spatial arrangement complexity.
3Length of stationary object
If at least a part of the first guide unit in the vertical direction overlaps with the second guide unit, then the medium feeding unit can be positioned lower, but the vertical space for medium transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first guide unit and second guide unit are arranged to overlap in the vertical direction, creating a nested spatial configuration. This overlapping arrangement allows the medium feeding unit to be positioned at a lower height while the guide units share the vertical space efficiently. The nesting principle enables compact vertical arrangement without completely eliminating the medium transmission path, as the guide units provide guidance functionality within the overlapping volume.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a recording apparatus including: a recording unit that performs recording on a medium transported in a first direction; a medium feeding unit that is positioned in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the recording unit, includes a medium supporting unit; and a medium reversing unit that reverses the medium transmitted in the second direction after the recording of the recording unit, and transmits the medium to the first direction, in which the medium feeding unit includes a first guide unit and forms a first guide surface in the downward slope toward the first direction, and a power transmission unit that transmits a driving power from a power source of the medium reversing unit to the medium reversing unit, and at least a part of the first guide unit in a vertical direction overlaps with the power transmission unit.