Sheet Discharge Guide for Jam Prevention in Compact Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet discharge apparatuses face challenges in preventing jamming and curling of long-sized sheets when the discharge extension tray is not drawn out, as the front end of the sheet can get caught or damaged due to the installation angle configuration, which also complicates access to the sheets for users.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a sheet guide portion with inclined surfaces or a sloped panel on the discharge extension trays, guiding the front end of the sheet upward and away from the turning center of the front end regulating portion, preventing collision with the base area and allowing easy access, even when the discharge extension tray is not extended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the discharge extension tray is not drawn out, then the apparatus maintains compact size, but long-sized sheets may get caught or damaged at the front end regulating portion
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet guide portion introduces a new spatial dimension by guiding the sheet upward at an angle rather than allowing it to travel straight. This vertical component separates the sheet's front end from the horizontal path where it would collide with the front end regulating portion, enabling compact apparatus design without compromising sheet discharge reliability for long-sized sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet guide portion acts as an intermediary element between the sheet and the front end regulating portion. It redirects the sheet's trajectory before the sheet reaches the regulating portion, preventing direct contact and potential damage while maintaining the compact configuration
2Manufacturing precision
If the front end regulating portion is positioned to regulate sheets, then sheet positioning is improved, but long-sized sheets may collide with its base area causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the upward guidance dimension through the sheet guide portion, the sheet's path is elevated above the base area of the front end regulating portion. This allows the regulating portion to maintain its positioning function while eliminating the harmful collision effect on long-sized sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge extension tray can be extended in a sheet discharge direction from a discharge tray. A front end regulating portion is coupled to the discharge extension tray on a downstream side in the sheet discharge direction of the discharge extension tray such that the front and regulating portion is turnable with respect to the discharge extension tray. A sheet guide portion guides a front end portion of the sheet to a direction separating from a turning center of the front end regulating portion when a sheet having a length longer than a predetermined size is discharged in a state where the discharge extension tray is not extended from the discharge tray.