Sheet Feeding Apparatus Spring-Loaded Cassette Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet feeding apparatuses in image forming devices face issues where erroneously drawing out the sheet feed cassette during sheet shifting can lead to the back fence being obstructed by a sheet bundle, causing the apparatus to stop operating and requiring cumbersome resetting, as the sheet bundle cannot be easily moved back to its home position.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a sheet bundle moving member that can be moved between two positions, with a driving unit linking it to a forced moving mechanism using a tensile spring or alternative force, allowing it to automatically return to its home position when the sheet feed cassette is drawn out, preventing obstruction and enabling smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet feed cassette is drawn out during sheet shifting operation, then the user can access or remove the cassette, but the sheet bundle cannot return to home position causing obstruction and apparatus stoppage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-loaded during normal operation to store elastic energy. When the cassette is drawn out, this pre-stored energy automatically activates the sheet bundle moving member to return the sheet bundle to home position, preventing obstruction before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The forced moving mechanism using spring member provides a counteracting force that opposes the displacement of the sheet bundle moving member away from home position. This preliminary anti-action ensures the sheet bundle returns to correct position even when cassette removal interrupts the shifting operation.
2Reliability
If a forced moving mechanism with spring member is added to automatically return sheet bundle to home position, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member creates a self-service system where the sheet bundle moving member automatically returns to home position using stored elastic energy without requiring external control signals or additional actuators. The mechanism serves itself by converting mechanical energy stored during normal operation into corrective action when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member acts as an intermediary energy storage element between the sheet bundle moving member and the home position constraint. It mediates the transition by storing energy during positioning and releasing it during correction, simplifying the control system while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If the sheet bundle moving member is moved to first position by driving unit, then sheet shifting operation is completed, but drawing out cassette during this process causes obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-loaded during normal sheet shifting operation. This pre-loading creates a buffer of stored energy that immediately activates the forced moving mechanism when cassette removal occurs, cushioning against the potential obstruction problem.
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 solution prevents the sheet bundle from being erroneously stacked in the wrong position, avoiding apparatus stoppages and simplifying the resetting process by ensuring the sheet bundle moving member can instantly move to its home position when the cassette is drawn out, thus maintaining continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a forced moving mechanism having a tensile spring that moves the sheet bundle moving member from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a forced moving mechanism having a tensile spring that moves the sheet bundle moving member from the first position to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a feed member feeding a sheet, and a sheet storage member having first and second sheet storage portions. A sheet shifting portion pushes an upstream end of the sheet in the second sheet storage portion in a first direction so as to shift the sheet in the second sheet storage portion to the first sheet storage portion in the first direction. A driving motor generates a driving force moving the sheet shifting portion, and a moving portion moves the sheet shifting portion from a first position to a second position farther from the first sheet storage portion in a state in which the sheet shifting portion does not receive the driving force from the driving motor.