Image Recording Device Tray Interference Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording devices, the media tray and manual feed tray often interfere with each other when the media tray is conveyed towards the manual feed tray, leading to operational shortcomings.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device is designed with a tray, insertion guide, conveyor, recording unit, stopper, and moving unit, where the insertion guide moves between guide and non-guide positions, the stopper protrudes or retracts to prevent interference, and the conveyor directs the trays along separate paths to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the media tray is conveyed along the common path towards the manual feed tray, then the image recording device can record images on both optical disks and recording sheets, but the media tray may interfere with the manual feed tray
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper protrudes into the common path in advance to stop the media tray before it reaches the manual feed tray, preventing interference. This preliminary action ensures that the media tray is halted at a safe distance, avoiding potential collisions while maintaining the ability to record on both optical disks and recording sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper acts as an intermediary element between the media tray and the manual feed tray. It mediates the interaction by physically blocking the media tray's path when necessary, preventing direct contact and interference with the manual feed tray while allowing both components to function independently
2Reliability
If the stopper protrudes into the common path to stop conveyance of the media tray, then interference between trays is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is configured to move between a protruding position and a retracted position, allowing it to dynamically adjust its presence in the common path. This dynamic capability enables the stopper to prevent tray interference only when necessary, while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall device structure when the stopper is retracted
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device includes a tray configured to hold a first recording medium, an insertion guide configured to move between a guide position for guiding a second recording medium into a common path and a non-guide position, a conveyor configured to convey the tray along the common path in a first direction and to convey the second recording medium along the common path in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a recording unit configured to record an image selectively on the first recording medium and the second recording medium, a stopper disposed along the common path, and a moving unit configured to move the stopper between a retracted position and a protruding position in response to movement of the insertion guide between the non-guide position and the guide position. The stopper in the protruding position protrudes into the common path to stop the tray.