Sheet Feed Cassette Curved Rail Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet lifting and lowering mechanism in image forming apparatuses has a short pull-out distance and high cassette pull-out load, making it difficult to operate the sheet feed cassette efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a sheet feed cassette, operation lever, sliding section, and main body rail section, where the operation lever rotates around a shaft, the sliding section slides along a curved main body rail section, and a ratchet-structured gear with a detachment mechanism is used to facilitate easy pull-out and reduce the pull-out force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the working part for depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray is arranged in the cassette pull-out direction, then the sheet lifting and lowering function can be achieved, but the pull-out distance becomes short and the cassette pull-out load becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved guide rail instead of a straight guide rail to extend the pull-out distance. The curved guide rail allows the cassette to move along an arc-shaped path, increasing the effective pull-out distance while maintaining the compact structure needed for the sheet lifting and lowering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the pull-out motion by using a curved guide rail that extends in the vertical direction. This allows the cassette to be pulled out not only horizontally but also vertically, effectively increasing the pull-out distance without increasing the horizontal footprint.
2Ease of operation
If the working part for depressing the sheet lifting and lowering tray is arranged in the cassette pull-out direction, then the sheet lifting and lowering function can be achieved, but the cassette pull-out load becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The curved guide rail distributes the pull-out force over a longer distance and changes the direction of the force application. This reduces the peak pull-out load by allowing the force to be applied more gradually along the curved path rather than in a single abrupt motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved guide rail acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pull-out force and the cassette movement. It transforms the applied force into a controlled motion along the curved path, reducing the direct load on the cassette and making the pull-out operation easier.
3Reliability
If a ratchet-structured gear with detachment mechanism is used, then accidental ejection due to vibration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet-structured gear with detachment mechanism provides automatic engagement and disengagement based on the cassette's position and operational state. The mechanism self-regulates to prevent accidental ejection during vibration while allowing easy detachment when properly operated, reducing the need for additional complex control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a sheet feed cassette (3), an operation lever (15), a sliding section (18), a sheet lifting and lowering tray (25), and a main body rail section (23). The sheet feed cassette (3) is housed to be capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body. The operation lever (15) is arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette and is rotatable around a shaft (16) positioned at the middle in a longitudinal direction. The sliding section (18) is arranged at the rear side of the shaft (16) of the operation lever (15). The sheet lifting and lowering tray can place a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever. The main body rail section (23) is arranged in the apparatus main body and guides running of the sliding section (18) at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.