Sheet Feeding Device Plate Reinforcement via Nested Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices face challenges in preventing breakage of the sheet holding plate while trying to reduce the device's height, as reinforcing members increase the plate's thickness and make it difficult to minimize the device's size in the height direction.
Innovation Solution
The sheet feeding device employs a tray cover and plate configuration where the tray cover and plate are designed to pivot about separate axes, with protrusions and recesses that allow them to reinforce each other, preventing excessive deformation and eliminating the need for additional reinforcing members, thus reducing the device's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the plate is increased or a reinforcing member is assembled into the plate to prevent breakage, then the strength of the plate is improved, but the height of the device increases and it becomes difficult to reduce the size in the height direction
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is formed inside the plate structure, creating a nested configuration where the reinforcing feature is integrated within the existing plate geometry rather than adding external thickness. This allows the plate to gain strength through the internal recess structure without increasing the overall height of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing strength by adding thickness in the vertical dimension (height direction), the invention transitions to reinforcing the plate through a recess structure that operates in the horizontal plane. This dimensional shift allows strength enhancement without compromising the compact height of the device.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the plate is increased to prevent breakage, then the reliability of the plate is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is integrated directly into the plate as a unified structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the reinforcing feature with the plate itself simplifies the overall device structure, eliminates additional parts, and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliable plate performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate's own structure is modified to include the recess, allowing the plate to reinforce itself without requiring external reinforcing members or additional components. This self-service approach enhances reliability while keeping the device simple and free of extra parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a sheet feeding device configured to feed a sheet in a feeding direction, a main body (8) includes a feeding unit (10) configured to feed the sheet to a conveying path (P1). A cover (50) is configured to pivot about a first axis (X1) relative to the main body between a closed position in which the cover closes the conveying path and an open position in which the cover exposes the conveying path. A plate (60) is configured to pivot about a second axis (X2) which is parallel to the first axis and to contact and move away from the feeding unit. The second axis (X2) is closer to the cover than to the feeding unit in the feeding direction. In a state in which the cover is in the closed position, at least a part of the cover is positioned on an upper side of the plate so as to be contactable with the plate.