Sheet Feed Cassette Ejection via Reverse Drive Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet feed cassettes in image forming apparatuses require excessive manual force to remove due to biasing mechanisms, which complicates operability, especially when the cassette and its contents are heavy, and there is a need for easier ejection and replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feed device with a sensing mechanism, lift mechanism, and drive mechanism that automatically detects sheet presence, feeds sheets, and then ejects the cassette by reversing the drive mechanism's rotation to overcome the retaining force, allowing easy removal of the cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sheet feed cassette is biased against the image forming apparatus body to prevent popping out during image formation, then the reliability of sheet feeding is improved, but the ease of operation for removing the cassette deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sheet presence using a sensing mechanism before initiating cassette removal. When no sheets are detected, the drive mechanism automatically rotates in reverse to push the cassette out, preparing the system for easy removal before the user even attempts to pull the cassette. This preliminary automated action eliminates the need for users to overcome biasing forces manually.
2Productivity
If the total weight of the sheet feed cassette and contained sheets is large, then the productivity of the image forming apparatus is improved, but the ease of operation for pulling out the cassette deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical pulling with an automated drive mechanism that uses rotational motion to push the cassette out. The drive mechanism, controlled by a controller based on sensing results, automatically performs the ejection action, substituting the user's manual pulling force with an automated mechanical system that can handle heavy cassettes without user effort limitations.
3Ease of operation
If a sheet pushup-pressure canceling function is added to enable easy cassette removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it drives the sheet stacking plate during normal sheet feeding operations and automatically pushes the cassette out during removal operations. By making the drive mechanism multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated mechanisms for cassette ejection, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving automated easy removal.
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
Enables the sheet feed cassette to be easily pulled out with reduced user effort, simplifies sheet replenishment, and facilitates jam processing by automatically recognizing empty cassettes and non-feed issues.
Implementation Method 1
When the first sensing mechanism has sensed that the sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the controller makes the main body-side coupling member rotate forward to move up the sheet stacking plate and moreover feed out a specified number of sheets
Implementation Method 2
when the first sensing mechanism has sensed that none of the sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the controller makes the main body-side coupling member rotate reverse to move down the sheet stacking plate and, even after the sheet stacking plate lowers to the bottom face, makes the main body-side coupling member continue to be rotated reverse so that pressing force in a thrust direction acts from the main body-side coupling member onto the cassette-side coupling member to move out the sheet containing cassette
Implementation Method 3
The lift mechanism is provided in the sheet containing cassette and configured to move up and down the sheet stacking plate
Data Source
AI summary
The sheet feed device includes a sheet containing cassette with a sheet stacking plate therein, a sheet feed part enabled to feed a sheet within the sheet containing cassette set in a setting position, a first sensing mechanism, a lift mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a controller. The lift mechanism includes a cassette-side coupling member for transmitting driving force to the sheet stacking plate. The drive mechanism includes a main body-side coupling member coupled with the cassette-side coupling member. When the first sensing mechanism has sensed that no sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking plate, the controller makes the main body-side coupling member rotate reverse to move down the sheet stacking plate and, even after the sheet stacking plate lowers, makes the main body-side coupling member continue to be rotated reverse so as to move out the sheet containing cassette from the setting position.