Sheet Feed Cassette Support to Prevent Rail Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding apparatuses face challenges in supporting high-capacity sheet storage cases, particularly on uneven surfaces, as they apply excessive force on rails, leading to deformation or breakage, and existing solutions complicate the rail configuration and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a rotating supporting member and a drop-out preventing unit, featuring a first stopper, an engaging portion, a guiding portion, and a second stopper, which regulates the pull-out position and movement of the sheet storage case, reducing the load on the rail and preventing deformation or breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the sheet storage case is made high-capacity to store more sheets, then the storage capacity increases, but the weight of the sheet storage case increases, causing excessive force on the rail and potential deformation or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotating supporting member that acts as a counterweight mechanism. When the sheet storage case is pulled out, the rotating supporting member rotates to support the weight of the storage case, preventing excessive force from being transmitted to the rail. This resolves the contradiction by providing a counterbalancing force that offsets the weight of the high-capacity storage case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rotating supporting member that dynamically adjusts its position based on the pull-out state of the sheet storage case. When the case is pulled out, the supporting member rotates to engage and support the weight; when the case is pushed in, the supporting member returns to its initial position. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt to different states, supporting high capacity without permanently increasing rail load.
2Strength
If a multistage rail is used to support the high-capacity sheet storage case, then the rail strength increases, but the configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotating supporting member as an intermediary element between the sheet storage case and the rail. This intermediary component bears the weight of the high-capacity storage case during pull-out operations, allowing the use of a simpler, single-stage rail configuration. The rotating supporting member mediates the load transfer, eliminating the need for complex multistage rail structures while maintaining sufficient strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet storage case is pulled out on a stepped place or desk where the caster cannot contact the floor, then the storage case can be accessed in various locations, but the weight of the sheet storage case cannot be properly supported by the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating supporting member dynamically responds to the pull-out motion of the sheet storage case. When the case is pulled out regardless of the installation location, the supporting member rotates to engage and support the weight. This dynamic mechanism ensures proper weight support in various locations including stepped places and desks, where the caster cannot contact the floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating supporting member automatically activates to support the weight when the sheet storage case is pulled out. The mechanism is self-activating based on the pull-out motion itself, requiring no external control or adjustment. This self-service characteristic ensures that weight support is provided automatically in any installation location, enhancing adaptability to different environments.
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 allows for simple and cost-effective support of high-capacity sheet storage cases by regulating the pull-out position and movement, reducing the load on the rail and preventing deformation or breakage, while maintaining a straightforward configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating supporting member which movably supports the sheet storage case in a pull-out direction when the sheet storage case is pulled out from the apparatus body
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention includes a feeding apparatus body, a storage case body, a storage case caster which movably supports the storage case body in a pull-out direction, and a drop-out preventing units having a pull-out stopper which regulates a pull-out position of the storage case body from the feeding apparatus body, a storage case stopper which is provided at a rear end in the pull-out direction of the storage case body, an upper-face rail portion which is formed in the feeding apparatus body to guide the storage case stopper into the pull-out direction, and a drop-out stopper which is engaged with the storage case stopper at the rear end in the pull-out direction compared to the pull-out stopper to regulate a movement of the storage case body toward the pull-out direction, if the storage case body is rotated with a predetermined angle or more.