Shared Feed Tray Layout for Roll and Cut Sheet Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording apparatuses with separate rollers for rolled paper and cut papers require larger apparatus sizes due to separate feeding paths for each medium type.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a feed tray that accommodates both rolled and cut papers, utilizing a single feed roller movable between contact and separation positions, and a support member movable between covering and separation positions to share a common feeding path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate rollers are used for rolled paper and cut papers, then each medium type can be fed reliably, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single feed roller is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different feeding positions. The roller can contact both the unrolled sheet from the rolled body (first feeding position) and the stacked sheets (second feeding position), enabling one component to handle both rolled paper and cut paper feeding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller is configured to be movable between different positions. It can move to the first feeding position to contact the unrolled sheet from the rolled body, and to the second feeding position to contact the stacked sheets. This dynamic positioning allows a single roller to serve multiple feeding functions adaptively
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate feeding paths are used for rolled paper and cut papers, then each medium type can be fed independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single feed roller with multiple feeding positions replaces what would traditionally require separate rollers and paths. The roller's ability to contact both the unrolled sheet from the rolled body and the stacked sheets at different positions enables one component to handle both rolled paper and cut paper feeding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the feeding functions for rolled paper and cut papers into a single feed roller system. By combining multiple feeding positions into one roller and using a unified feeding path, the design reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to handle different medium types
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes: a feed tray; a feed roller configured to feed a sheet medium accommodated in the feed tray; and a recording unit. The feed tray includes: a first accommodating part configured to accommodate a rolled body formed by rolling the sheet medium; a second accommodating part configured to accommodate a plurality of sheet media in a stacked state, each of the sheet media being the sheet medium; a contact surface configured to contact, from below, the sheet medium unrolled from the rolled body accommodated in the first accommodating part; and a support member having a support surface configured to support the sheet media accommodated in the second accommodating part. The feed roller is movable between a contact position at which the feed roller contacts the contact surface and a separation position at which the feed roller is away from the contact surface.