Sheet Accommodating Device Non-Coaxial Fulcrum Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet accommodating devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in assembly workability due to the coaxial fulcrum axis configuration of plate members, leading to difficulties in attaching and adjusting the pressing force for sheets of varying sizes, which results in issues like empty or multiple feeding.

Innovation Solution

A sheet accommodating device with a first and second plate member configuration, where the first plate member is turnable around a first fulcrum axis orthogonal to the sheet feed direction and the second plate member is turnable around a second fulcrum axis, allowing for adjustable upward pressing forces based on sheet size, improving assembly workability and preventing feeding errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the first and second plate members are provided on coaxial fulcrum axis line in the body of the sheet accommodating device, then the pressing force can be adjusted according to sheet size, but the assembly workability of plate members to the body deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly workability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the fulcrum axis configuration into two separate non-coaxial fulcrum axis lines (first fulcrum axis line for the first plate member, second fulcrum axis line for the second plate member). This segmentation allows each plate member to be independently attached to the body, improving assembly workability while maintaining the ability to adjust pressing forces for different sheet sizes through individual fulcrum positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single biasing member presses up the plate member, then the structure is simple, but the pressing force cannot be properly adjusted for sheets of different sizes, causing empty feeding or multiple feeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidsheet feeding accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the single biasing member into two separate biasing members (first biasing member for the first plate member, second biasing member for the second plate member). This allows independent adjustment of pressing forces applied by each plate member, enabling proper adaptation to sheets of different sizes and preventing feeding errors while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different pressing forces at different locations by using separate biasing members for each plate member. The first biasing member applies pressing force at the first plate member's location, and the second biasing member applies pressing force at the second plate member's location, allowing localized adjustment according to sheet size requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the pressing force of the biasing member is increased for smaller sheets, then multiple feeding is prevented, but empty feeding becomes more likely for larger sheets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force magnitudeVSAvoidadaptability to different sheet sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a dynamic pressing force adjustment system where the first and second plate members can independently rotate around their respective fulcrum axis lines. This allows the pressing forces from the first and second biasing members to be dynamically adjusted according to sheet size, enabling the system to adapt to both small and large sheets without causing feeding errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enhances assembly efficiency and ensures proper sheet feeding by adjusting pressing forces according to sheet size, preventing empty or multiple feeding regardless of sheet dimensions, while simplifying the attachment process.

Implementation Method 1

a first biasing member that presses up the first plate member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second biasing member that presses up the second plate member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10723573B2Sheet accommodating device and image forming apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 SHARP KK

AI summary

A sheet accommodating device includes a first plate member on which sheets are mounted, a first biasing member, a second plate member; and a second biasing member, and has a configuration in which, according to a size of the sheets, the first biasing member presses up the first plate member or both the first and second biasing members press up both the first and second plate members. The first plate member is provided so as to be turnable with respect to the second plate member around a first fulcrum axis line extending along a width direction orthogonal to a sheet feed direction in which the sheets are fed. The second plate member is provided so as to be turnable with respect to a body of the sheet accommodating device around a second fulcrum axis line extending along the width direction.