Rotatable Cover and Reading Unit Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses require a significant force to open the upper cover member and image reading portion due to increased weight, making the initial operation cumbersome and increasing the load at the start of opening, which affects usability.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a pivotable image forming portion with a cover member that opens and closes in association with the image reading portion, utilizing a sliding face with a first portion that approaches the image reading portion from one end, reducing the force required for lifting by applying a force to cause the engagement portion to slide and pivot the cover member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper cover member and image reading portion are moved together during opening operation, then access to the inside of the image forming portion is enabled, but the weight of members to be lifted is increased and the force required for lifting is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The opening operation is divided into two independent stages: first the image reading portion opens independently, then the upper cover member opens separately. This segmentation allows the user to apply force sequentially to lighter components rather than simultaneously to both heavy components, reducing the peak force requirement while still enabling full access to the image forming portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows dynamic, sequential operation where the image reading portion can open first to a preliminary position, reducing the overall weight that needs to be lifted in the second stage. This dynamic approach adapts the opening process to human capability by breaking down the heavy lifting task into manageable phases.
2Device complexity
If the upper cover member and image reading portion are moved together during opening operation, then the opening mechanism is simplified, but the load at the start of opening position is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The opening mechanism is segmented into two independent pivot operations: the image reading portion pivots on a first rotation axis, and the upper cover member pivots on a second rotation axis. This allows the mechanism to remain relatively simple while distributing the load across two separate opening phases, reducing the peak load at any single position.
3Ease of operation
If the image reading portion is moved in association with the opening operation of the upper cover member, then the members are coupled together, but the usability is degraded due to increased lifting force
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism provides dynamic operation modes where the image reading portion can open independently first, allowing users with limited strength to perform the initial opening. The upper cover member then opens in a second phase, making the overall operation adaptable to different user capabilities and improving usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupled members are operated in segmented phases rather than as a single unified movement. The image reading portion separates its opening motion from the upper cover member, allowing independent control and reduced force requirements for each phase, thereby improving usability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion provided with an opening portion through which a cartridge is removably mounted and a cover member opening and closing the opening portion. An original reading portion is pivotable about a first rotation axis. The cover member is pivotable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis. A force is applied to pivot the original reading portion so that an engagement portion of the original reading portion slides on a sliding face of the cover member to apply a force from the engagement portion to the sliding face to pivot the cover member. In a cross section orthogonal to the first rotation axis, a first portion of the sliding face approaches the original reading portion from one end side on which the first and the second rotation axes are provided toward an opposite side.