Rotatable Guide Member Linkage for Image Forming Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently opening and closing mechanisms, particularly in reducing operational forces required for panel movement and ensuring reliable engagement and disengagement of components during maintenance or paper jam removal.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism incorporates a rotatable opening-closing panel with a guide member having first and second guide surfaces that engage with a link member, utilizing a tension coil spring and compression coil spring to facilitate smooth movement and reduce operational forces, ensuring secure locking and easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional opening-closing mechanism is used, then the panel can be opened and closed, but the operational force required for panel movement is high and the engagement reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to be rotatable relative to the opening-closing panel, allowing it to dynamically change its engagement surface (first guide surface for closing, second guide surface for opening) based on the panel's movement direction. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the mechanism to adapt to different operational phases, reducing required force while maintaining reliable engagement through the link member's rotational movement.
2Ease of operation
If the panel is designed for easy opening and closing, then operational force is reduced, but interference between link member and panel may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: a first guide surface for engagement during closing movement and a second guide surface for engagement during opening movement. This segmentation allows the link member to interact with different surfaces at different times, eliminating interference while maintaining smooth operation. The rotatable guide member ensures that the appropriate surface is engaged based on the panel's position and movement direction.
3Device complexity
If the engagement mechanism is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but secure locking may not be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The link member acts as an intermediary element between the guide member and the opening-closing panel. It translates the rotational movement of the guide member into the appropriate linear movement of the panel, ensuring secure locking through the engagement of the link member with the panel's engagement portion. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable locking without requiring complex direct engagement structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the operational force needed for panel movement, enhances the reliability of the opening and closing operations, and prevents interference between the link member and the opening-closing panel, ensuring secure closure and easy access for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a tension coil spring and compression coil spring to facilitate smooth movement and reduce operational forces
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a tension coil spring and compression coil spring to facilitate smooth movement and reduce operational forces
Data Source
AI summary
An opening-closing mechanism includes an opening-closing panel that is rotatably supported so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position; an engagement member that is rotatably supported by the opening-closing panel; a link member that is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft provided on the apparatus body; and a guide member that is supported by a support shaft on the opening-closing panel so that the guide member is rotatable in a rotation direction and movable in a direction that crosses the rotation direction. The guide member includes a first guide surface that moves while being in contact with the link member when the opening-closing panel moves to the closed position, and a second guide surface that moves while being in contact with the link member when the opening-closing panel moves to the open position.