Sheet Feeding Upstream End Restricting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding apparatuses face issues with maintaining the positional correlation between the end guide and the bottom plate, leading to potential misalignment when the hook portion is disengaged, affecting the accurate feeding of sheets.
Innovation Solution
The sheet feeding apparatus incorporates an upstream end restricting mechanism with a rotating restricting member, an interlock member, a fixing member, an unlock mechanism, and bias portions to adjust and maintain the position of the restricting mechanism body, ensuring accurate sheet feeding and preventing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hook portion is disengaged from the engage member to allow end guide adjustment, then the end guide position can be adjusted back and forth, but the positional correlation between the end guide and the bottom plate may be shifted
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock member acts as an intermediary element that maintains the positional correlation between the end guide and bottom plate. When the hook portion is disengaged for adjustment, the interlock member remains engaged with the restricting member, serving as a mediator that preserves the spatial relationship between components, thus preventing positional shift while allowing necessary adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias portion applies a preliminary action by continuously biasing the restricting member to engage with the interlock member. This preliminary engagement ensures that even when the hook portion is disengaged, the restricting member maintains its positional relationship with the interlock member, preventing accidental displacement and maintaining positional correlation between the end guide and bottom plate.
2Manufacturing precision
If the restricting member is engaged with the interlock member to maintain positional correlation, then sheet feeding accuracy is improved, but the restricting member cannot be freely adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic engagement through the interlock member that can switch between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, the restricting member maintains precise positional correlation with the interlock member for accurate sheet feeding. When disengaged (through unlock mechanism), the restricting mechanism body can be freely adjusted. This dynamic state change allows the system to switch between precision maintenance and ease of adjustment as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock member serves as a mediator between the restricting member and the rest of the mechanism. It allows the restricting member to be precisely positioned during normal operation while enabling free adjustment when the unlock mechanism is activated. The interlock member mediates between the conflicting requirements of maintaining positional correlation and allowing adjustability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fixing member is fixed to the cassette body to maintain restricting mechanism body position, then sheet feeding stability is improved, but the restricting mechanism body cannot be repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member transitions from a fixed state to a movable state through the unlock mechanism. When fixed, it maintains the stability of the restricting mechanism body position for reliable sheet feeding. When unlocked, it allows the restricting mechanism body to be repositioned along the sheet feeding direction. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member is segmented into a fixed portion (when engaged with cassette body) and a movable portion (when disengaged). This segmentation allows the restricting mechanism body to be stable during normal operation but repositionable when needed, as the fixing member can be divided into engaged and disengaged states.
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
This configuration ensures precise positioning of the upstream end of the sheets, preventing deflection and ensuring accurate sheet feeding by maintaining the interlock between the sheet supporting plate and the restricting member, even when the fixing member is unlocked.
Implementation Method 1
a bias portion that biases the restricting member disengaged from the interlock member by the unlock mechanism to the hold position
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus restricts a position of an upstream end of a sheet by a restricting member supported rotatably to a restricting mechanism body. The restricting member moves between a hold position and a project position by interlocking with a rotating operation of an sheet supporting plate by engaging with an interlock member. An unlock mechanism unlocks the restricting mechanism body from a cassette body and also disengages the restricting member from the interlock member. When the restricting member is disengaged from the interlock member by the unlock mechanism, the restricting member is biased to the hold position by a bias portion.