Sheet Feeding Device Removable Extension Plate Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large-capacity sheet feeding devices cannot effectively stack and feed long sheets without damaging the extension bottom plate when the sheet feeding tray is pulled or paper jams occur, as the extension plate is prone to being caught by the casing.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a removable extension unit that includes an extension plate to allow long sheets to be stacked, and a first locking unit that prevents the sheet feeding tray from sliding when the extension unit is attached, thereby protecting the extension plate from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an extension bottom plate is removably attached to the tray bottom plate to extend the stacking area for long sheets, then long sheets can be stacked on the sheet feeding tray, but the extension bottom plate can be damaged by being caught by the casing when the sheet feeding tray is pulled out or during paper jam situations
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet feeding tray is divided into two independent parts: the original tray bottom plate and the removably attached extension bottom plate. This segmentation allows the extension plate to be detached when not needed, preventing damage while maintaining the capability to stack long sheets when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension bottom plate is designed to be removably attachable and detachable, transforming from a static structure to a dynamic one. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between having extended capacity (when attached) and protected configuration (when detached), resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the sheet feeding tray is made slidable for easy sheet stacking and paper jam handling, then ease of operation is improved, but the extension bottom plate is prone to being caught by the casing causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational needs. The extension bottom plate can be attached when long sheet stacking is required and detached when the tray needs to be slid for paper jam handling or routine maintenance, allowing both ease of operation and reliability to be maintained at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension bottom plate can be extracted (removed) from the sheet feeding tray when it poses a risk of damage. This extraction eliminates the harmful interaction between the extension plate and the casing during sliding operations, while preserving the sliding capability for normal operations when the extension plate is not attached.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet feeding tray attached to a casing in a manner slidable into and out from the casing and including a stacking plate on which sheets are stacked; a conveying unit configured to convey the sheets in a direction orthogonal to both a sliding direction of the sheet feeding tray and a stacking direction of the sheets; an optional extension unit configured to be removably attached to an upstream side of the stacking plate in a conveying direction, and including an extension plate configured to extend the stacking plate; and a first locking unit configured to be capable of being held in a first lock position where the sheet feeding tray cannot be slide when the optional extension unit is attached while, when the optional extension unit is removed, held in a first unlock position where the sheet feeding tray can be slid.