Sheet Feeding Extension Tray Interlock for Compact Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding mechanisms in printers face challenges in ensuring efficient and reliable operation while maintaining a compact design, particularly in accommodating different sheet sizes and preventing damage during cover closure.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a cover and supporting portions that move in a coordinated manner, where the supporting portions' angle of movement is smaller than the cover's, allowing for a compact design and smooth operation of extension trays without interference, enhancing stiffness and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the supporting portion moves with the same angle as the cover, then the extension tray can be fully extended, but the apparatus becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic movement control where the supporting portion's movement angle is made smaller than the cover's opening angle. This dynamic angular relationship allows the extension tray to be fully extended when needed while maintaining a compact apparatus size when the cover is closed, as the supporting portion does not need to traverse the full angular range of the cover movement.
2Volume of moving object
If the supporting portion moves with a smaller angle than the cover, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the extension tray may not fully extend
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tray is designed to nest within the supporting portion when not in use. The supporting portion acts as a container that holds the extension tray in a retracted state, allowing the apparatus to maintain a compact form factor while still providing full extension capability when the extension tray is deployed at the appropriate angular position.
3Reliability
If the cover closes onto the extended extension tray, then the extension tray is damaged, but preventing closure requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action through an interlock mechanism that prevents the cover from closing when the extension tray is in the extended position. The interlock mechanism detects the extended state and blocks cover closure before damage can occur, eliminating the need for more complex active sensing or forcing mechanisms while reliably protecting the extension tray.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first supporting portion movable between a closed position and an open position supporting a sheet, an interlocking portion to move the first supporting portion from the closed position to the open position when a cover is opened, and a second supporting portion. A feed portion feeds a sheet supported by the first and second supporting portions in a sheet feeding direction. A moving angle of the first supporting portion moving from the closed position to the open position is smaller than a moving angle of the cover moving from the closed position to the open position, and the first supporting portion includes an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion. In a state where the cover and first supporting portion are open, the upstream end portion is further from an exterior surface of the cover than the downstream end portion.