Sheet Stacking Position Regulating Member with Single-Finger Lever Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet stacking devices face challenges in achieving universal design and operability, particularly in accommodating different sheet sizes, and there is a demand for reducing the size of paper feed cassettes and image forming devices while maintaining effective position regulation.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking device with a position regulating member that includes a lever member, pivot support, first release mechanism, and second release mechanism, allowing the lock member to be moved between engage and release positions using a single finger operation, and a configuration that reduces the thickness of the regulating member to minimize device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the position regulating member from the regulating position, then reliability of sheet position regulation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the lock mechanism. Specifically, it removes the need for separate lock releasing mechanisms by integrating the lock releasing function directly into the operation lever's movement path. The operation lever itself serves as the lock releasing member, taking out the complexity of additional releasing mechanisms while maintaining reliable locking and releasing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation lever serves multiple functions: it moves the position regulating member to adjust sheet size, and simultaneously serves as the lock releasing member by utilizing its own movement to release the lock. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating separate lock releasing components while ensuring reliable position regulation.
2Reliability
If the position regulating member is made thicker to provide stable sheet regulation, then reliability of position regulation is improved, but the size of the sheet stacking device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-film approach by using a flat plate structure for the position regulating member instead of a thick component. The flat plate design provides sufficient structural stability for reliable sheet regulation while maintaining a thin profile that reduces the overall size of the sheet stacking device. This approach allows the device to achieve both reliability and compactness.
3Ease of operation
If a single finger operation mechanism is implemented for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the lever member and release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation lever and lock releasing member into a single integrated component. The operation lever's movement directly triggers the lock releasing function through its own displacement, eliminating the need for separate lock releasing mechanisms. This merging provides single-finger operation ease while actually reducing device complexity compared to having separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation lever serves itself by using its own movement to release the lock. When the user moves the operation lever to adjust the position regulating member, the lever's displacement automatically triggers the lock releasing function. This self-service mechanism provides easy single-finger operation without requiring additional complex releasing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking device including a position regulating member movable in a first direction toward a sheet edge and in a second direction away from the sheet edge, in order to regulate position of the sheet. The position regulating member includes a lock member movable between an engage position and a release position and a lock releaser that moves the lock member from the engage position to the release position. The lock releaser includes a lever member, an upper portion of the lever member including an operation portion, a pivot support that allows the lever member to tilt in the first direction and the second direction, and release mechanisms that move the lock member to the release position when the operation portion is tilted in either direction. Both the release mechanisms are provided on one side of the pivot support in the first direction or the second direction.