Rotating Sheet Guide for Image Processing Apparatus Skew Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses face issues with sheet guiding, as guides are only provided on the tray surface and not on the lower surface of the sheet feeding port, leading to potential skewing of sheets during feeding.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first guide on the tray surface and a second guide that rotates between positions facing the tray surface and the lower surface, ensuring proper sheet alignment and guiding across both surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guides are provided only on the tray surface, then the device structure is simple, but the sheet guiding function is insufficient causing sheets to be fed obliquely
Solution Approach 1:
The second guide is configured to rotate between a first position (facing the tray surface) and a second position (facing the lower surface of the sheet feeding port). This dynamic configuration allows the guide structure to adapt to different operational requirements, providing comprehensive sheet guidance while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the guiding function from a single plane (tray surface only) to multiple dimensions by adding the second guide that can face both the tray surface and the lower surface of the sheet feeding port. This multi-dimensional approach ensures sheets are properly guided throughout their entire path.
2Manufacturing precision
If guides are extended to cover both tray surfaces, then sheet guiding is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than providing static guides on both surfaces simultaneously, the second guide dynamically switches between facing the tray surface and facing the lower surface of the sheet feeding port. This reduces the number of permanent structural elements needed while achieving comprehensive guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The second guide serves multiple functions by rotating between positions: it can guide sheets from the tray surface and also guide sheets through the lower surface of the sheet feeding port. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated guides for each surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus including a first guide configured in one of a first manner that the first guide is disposed on a first tray surface of a first tray and extends in a first direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of a second tray and parallel to the first tray surface, and a second manner that the first guide is disposed on a second tray surface of the second tray and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second tray and parallel to the second tray surface, and a second guide connected with the first guide, so as to move between a first position where the second guide faces the first tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the first tray surface and a second position where the second guide faces the second tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the second tray surface.