Rotating Sheet Tray Structure for Compact Long-Sheet Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding apparatuses with extended trays for long sheets face issues of increased size, obstruction during user passage, and risk of detachment leading to damage, while existing solutions to prevent detachment often result in larger packaging sizes.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with an extended tray that can switch between two positions, allowing rotation from a second position closer to the apparatus body to a first position for stacking, while preventing rotation in the opposite direction, thereby reducing package size and preventing detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the sheet stacking portion is made long to support long sheets, then the sheet feeding capability is improved, but the package box size becomes bigger
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stacking portion is designed to be rotatable relative to the attaching portion, transitioning between an extended position for sheet stacking and a folded position for compact packaging. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both functional requirements of supporting long sheets and maintaining small package dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet stacking portion rotates from an extended linear configuration to a folded configuration that utilizes vertical space by folding back toward the attaching portion. This dimensional transformation allows the structure to occupy minimal horizontal space during packaging while maintaining full sheet stacking capability when deployed.
2Length of moving object
If the extended sheet tray is made bigger to support long sheets, then the sheet stacking capability is improved, but user passage is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The extended sheet tray incorporates a rotatable sheet stacking portion that can be positioned in an extended state during use to support long sheets, and folded back to a compact state during storage to clear the passage area. This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates the obstruction to user passage while maintaining full sheet stacking capability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the extended sheet tray is made easily detachable to make space for user passage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching portion incorporates a spring mechanism that dynamically adjusts the attachment force. The spring maintains strong engagement during normal use to prevent accidental detachment, but allows controlled detachment when sufficient force is applied by the user. This dynamic force adjustment resolves the contradiction between easy detachment for passage and reliable attachment during use.
4Volume of stationary object
If the sheet stacking portion is folded to reduce size, then the package box size is reduced, but the rotation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stacking portion is designed with rotational freedom in the deployed state, allowing it to rotate between extended and folded positions. The rotation is not restricted during use, as the structure can freely adjust its angle to accommodate sheet stacking while maintaining compact packaging when folded. The spring mechanism and guiding structure enable this dynamic rotation without limitation.
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
The solution effectively prevents detachment of the extended tray and reduces packaging size, ensuring safe and compact storage without obstructing user passage.
Implementation Method 1
a protruding portion urged by a spring provided at the attaching portion
Implementation Method 2
the frictional force μF are applied to the tip of the wire 56 from the right side surface W
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus is disclosed that includes a sheet stacking portion, wherein with the extended sheet tray is attached to the sheet tray, the sheet stacking portion is configured to be switchable between in a first position in which the sheet stacking portion can stack the sheet and a second position that is closer to the apparatus main body than the first position, and wherein the sheet stacking portion is configured to be rotatable from the second position to the first position and not to be rotatable from the first position to the second position.