Image Recording Device Return Guide Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices risk damaging images on sheets during the double-sided recording process due to the feed roller contacting the recorded surface, leading to smearing or ink/toner adherence, which can soil other sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device with a return guide that pivots to guide the recorded sheet back to a curved path without direct contact, using a feed roller that engages with supporting portions to prevent image damage and maintain compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the feed roller feeds the sheet returned to the sheet tray, then the device remains compact with shared paths, but the feed roller contacts the recorded surface causing image smearing or ink/toner adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sheet conveying path into separate segments: one path for feeding sheets to be recorded and another path for returning recorded sheets. The return guide creates a distinct return path that is spatially separated from the feed roller path, preventing contact between the feed roller and recorded surfaces while maintaining overall device compactness through efficient space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The return guide acts as an intermediary component that receives recorded sheets from the discharge tray and guides them back to the sheet tray through a dedicated return path. This intermediary structure enables the returned sheets to bypass the feed roller entirely, eliminating the harmful contact while preserving the compact shared-path design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate return path is introduced to prevent feed roller contact, then image integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return guide is integrated with the existing discharge tray structure, merging the return function into the already-present components. The return guide utilizes the space and structural framework of the discharge tray, combining multiple functions (discharge and return guidance) into a unified structure rather than adding completely separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The return guide creates a three-dimensional return path that utilizes vertical and lateral space efficiently. By routing the return path through different spatial dimensions rather than simply extending the horizontal path, the design achieves path separation without proportionally increasing the device's footprint or overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path.