Removable Duplexer Tray for Imaging Device Jam Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices with duplex printing functionality face difficulties in accessing and removing jammed or damaged media from the interior, as the duplex media path is often hidden within the device, making it challenging to clear media jams effectively.
Innovation Solution
A removable media handling module with a horizontally slidable body that forms part of the duplex media path, allowing for exposure of the lower media guide when inserted or removed, enabling easier access and clearance of jams, and featuring a manual input feeder with a fold-out tray for media feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the duplex media path is integrated into the middle portion of the imaging device, then duplex printing functionality is achieved, but access to the media path for clearing jams becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is divided into a stationary upper portion containing the print engine and a removable lower portion containing the duplex media path. This segmentation allows the media path to be physically separated from the main device body, enabling easy access for jam clearance while maintaining integrated duplex printing functionality when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The duplex media path is extracted from the fixed interior of the imaging device and placed in a removable tray module. This extraction allows the media path to be accessed, removed, or replaced independently, significantly improving ease of operation for clearing jams while preserving the duplex printing capability when the tray is installed.
2Ease of operation
If a rear jam-door is positioned to provide access to the duplex media path, then media path accessibility is improved, but the portion of the media path remaining hidden within the device interior persists
Solution Approach 1:
The media path is segmented into two portions: a stationary portion remaining in the imaging device interior and a removable portion in the tray module. The removable portion can be completely extracted for access, eliminating the need for complex door mechanisms while maintaining full accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessible portion of the media path is completely extracted from the device interior and placed in a removable tray. This allows the entire media path to be accessed by simply removing the tray, eliminating hidden portions and simplifying the overall device structure compared to rear door mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the duplex media path is made removable, then accessibility for clearing jams is significantly improved, but the structural complexity of the imaging device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable tray module serves multiple functions: it contains the duplex media path, provides easy access for jam clearance, and can be completely removed for maintenance. This multi-functionality consolidates several features into a single component, reducing overall structural complexity despite the added removability feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The duplex media path is nested within the removable tray module, which itself can be removed from the imaging device. This nested structure allows the media path to be accessed at multiple levels of removal, providing ease of operation while organizing components in a compact, manageable way that limits complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A removable media handling module includes a body that is horizontally slidable into and removable from an imaging apparatus. The media handling module includes a lower media guide extending between a front and a rear of the body in a direction of insertion of the body into the imaging apparatus. With the media handling module inserted into the imaging apparatus, the lower media guide is positioned parallel to and spaced from a corresponding upper media guide mounted in the imaging apparatus to form at least a portion of a duplex media path therebetween. The media handling module includes a media feed through channel extending from a bottom of the body to an entrance of a simplex media path to allow media to be fed from a media tray below the media handling module and into the simplex media path when the media handling module is installed in the imaging apparatus.