Sheet Conveyance Lock Release Linked to Door Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet conveyance systems require a large operating force to detach the sheet conveyance apparatus from the door unit due to parallel movements of the storage device and link member, necessitating simultaneous horizontal and vertical forces.

Innovation Solution

A lock mechanism with an interlock separating mechanism that allows the lock to be released through the opening operation of the door, reducing the required operating force by linking the door's opening motion to the detachment of the sheet conveyance apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the storage device and link member move in parallel during door opening, then the locking is released, but a large operating force is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking releaseVSAvoidoperating force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the movement into two independent phases: first the link member moves vertically to release the lock, then the storage device moves horizontally to detach. This separates the locking release function from the detachment function, allowing the lock to be released with minimal force before the heavy storage device is moved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The link member performs preliminary action by moving vertically to disengage the locking protrusion from the locking recess before the storage device is moved horizontally. This preliminary unlocking action reduces the force required for the subsequent detachment of the heavy storage device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the storage device is pushed horizontally during door opening, then detachment is achieved, but the heavy weight requires large force

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedetachmentVSAvoidoperating force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The detachment process is segmented into two stages: vertical movement of the link member to release the lock, followed by horizontal movement of the storage device. This segmentation allows the heavy storage device to be moved only after the locking constraint is removed, reducing the required operating force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical movement of the link member serves as a preliminary action that releases the locking mechanism before the horizontal detachment of the storage device. This preliminary unlocking reduces the force needed to move the heavy storage device horizontally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4679180A1Sheet conveyance apparatus and sheet conveyance system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CANON KK
  • EP4679180A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679180A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679180A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sheet conveyance apparatus (300) configured to be detachably connected to a door unit (200) including a door member (210), the sheet conveyance apparatus (300) includes a conveyance portion (303), a casing (340) configured to accommodate the conveyance portion (303) to face the door unit (200), a lock portion (310) supported movably with respect to the casing (340) to a lock position and to a release position, and a moving member (321) supported movably by the casing (340), the moving member (321) being configured to move the lock portion (310) from the lock position to the release position by being pressed by the door member (210) being opened in a state where the casing (340) is not moved with respect to the door unit (200).