Removable Image Recording Apparatus Body Rigidity and Positional Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording apparatuses with removable upper and lower units face challenges in maintaining positional accuracy due to low rigidity and potential distortion, affecting the accuracy of rollers and guide rails, which can lead to inclined conveying and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveying device with first and second bodies that are removably connected, featuring box portions, connectors, and foot portions to stabilize the shape and positional accuracy of components, ensuring accuracy regardless of connection status through weight distribution and frame support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the upper unit is made lightweight and integral to reduce cost and size, then manufacturing cost and apparatus size are reduced, but the body rigidity decreases causing distortion of rollers and guide rails
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into a lower unit and an upper unit that can be removed and attached. The lower unit includes a case and a reinforcing frame, while the upper unit includes a scanner unit and a second sheet supplying cassette. This segmentation allows the upper unit to be made lightweight and inexpensive while the lower unit provides structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower unit combines a case (made of resin or plastic) with a reinforcing frame (made of metal). This composite structure provides both the cost benefits of lightweight materials and the structural benefits of metal reinforcement, preventing distortion of rollers and guide rails.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper unit is made removable to enable different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining positional accuracy becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into removable upper and lower units with standardized connection interfaces. The upper unit can be removed to enable different configurations (e.g., using only the lower unit or combining units), while the connection design ensures positional accuracy is maintained when units are assembled together.
3Device complexity
If the conveying path is defined in the upper unit to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the conveying stability decreases due to lack of support from the lower unit
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying path is segmented into two parts: the first conveying path is defined in the lower unit (providing stable support), and the second conveying path is defined in the upper unit (simplifying structure). This segmentation allows each unit to have optimized structure while maintaining overall conveying stability through the lower unit's support.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus including first and second bodies that are removably connected to each other. The first body includes (i-a) a pair of first box portions (i-b) a connector interconnecting the first box portions, (i-c) at least one first foot portion provided on a bottom surface of each of the first box portions so as to be in contact with an installed surface, and (i-d) at least one first support portion extending upwardly from the at least one first foot portion. The second body includes (ii-a) a pair of second box portions, (ii-b) a connector interconnecting second box portions, and (ii-c) at least one second foot portion provided on a bottom surface of each of the second box portions. The second foot portion is located in a position aligned with the first support portion, so as to be in contact with a distal end of the first support portion. A sheet conveying device is held by a frame member which bridges between the second box portions.