Rotating Sheet Cassette for Low Power Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing devices face challenges in reducing power consumption during sheet discharge, particularly when handling sheets of maximum size or thick paper, due to difficulties in controlling the posture and rotation of sheets within the sheet cassette.

Innovation Solution

The sheet cassette incorporates a rotating sheet placing portion with a rotation shaft disposed between the first and second end portions of the discharge area, allowing the sheet to rotate flat and reducing external force requirements, which includes side and end guides to maintain sheet flatness and an elastic member to cushion impacts, thereby minimizing power consumption during discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional sheet discharge mechanism is used, then sheets can be discharged, but power consumption increases when handling maximum-sized or thick sheets due to difficulty in controlling sheet posture and rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddifficulty in controlling sheet posture

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet placing portion is designed to rotate around a rotation shaft, transitioning from a static to a dynamic configuration. This rotation allows the sheet to be positioned at an optimal angle for discharge, reducing resistance and power consumption while improving controllability of sheet posture during discharge operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation shaft is positioned asymmetrically within the sheet placing portion, extending perpendicular to both the discharge direction and gravity direction. This asymmetric positioning creates an optimized discharge path that reduces the force required to move sheets, particularly effective for maximum-sized and thick sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If the rotation shaft is positioned at the edge of the sheet placing area, then sheet discharge is simpler, but the sheet cannot be rotated flat and requires large external force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of discharge mechanismVSAvoidexternal force required for rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By enabling rotation of the sheet placing portion around a centrally positioned shaft, the system dynamically adjusts sheet orientation during discharge, achieving flat rotation and reduced force requirements compared to fixed edge-positioned mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation shaft positioning creates a balanced configuration where the sheet can rotate flat around the shaft axis. This balanced positioning reduces the moment arm and external force required for rotation, making the system more efficient for handling various sheet sizes and thicknesses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Device complexity

If the sheet placing portion is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but sheet posture control is difficult and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption during discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11434092B2Sheet cassette and image processing device

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a sheet cassette includes a sheet placing portion. The sheet placing portion can rotate around a rotation shaft while placing a sheet of a placeable maximum size in a sheet placing area to be flat. The rotation shaft extends to be perpendicular to a discharge direction and a gravity direction of the sheet. The rotation shaft is disposed between a first end portion on a downstream side along the discharge direction in the sheet placing area and a second end portion on an upstream side positioned on a side opposite to the first end portion.