Sheet Stacking Tray Sequential Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet placement trays for image forming apparatuses are prone to damage from external forces due to the second pullout portion, which is weak in strength, being pulled out alone during storage.
Innovation Solution
The tray design includes a first and second slide member with elastically deformable engaging protrusions and protruding portions that control the engagement and release of these members, ensuring the first slide member is pulled out first when extending and stored last when retracting, preventing the second slide member from being pulled out or stored alone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the second pullout portion is made smaller to fit in the tray, then the tray can be compact when stored, but the second pullout portion becomes weak and may be pulled out alone causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are designed to release in a predetermined sequence during the pulling operation. The first engagement portion releases before the second engagement portion, ensuring that the first pullout portion extends first and provides structural support before the weaker second pullout portion is subjected to pulling forces. This preliminary action prevents the second pullout portion from being pulled out alone while maintaining compact storage dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the second pullout portion is made smaller to fit in the tray, then the tray can be compact when stored, but the second pullout portion becomes weak and is likely to be damaged by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are designed to release in a predetermined sequence during the pulling operation. The first engagement portion releases before the second engagement portion, ensuring that the first pullout portion extends first and provides structural support before the weaker second pullout portion is subjected to pulling forces. This preliminary action prevents the second pullout portion from being pulled out alone while maintaining compact storage dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If both engagement portions are released simultaneously, then the operation is simple, but the second pullout portion may be pulled out alone causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are designed to release in a predetermined sequence during the pulling operation. The first engagement portion releases before the second engagement portion, ensuring that the first pullout portion extends first and provides structural support before the weaker second pullout portion is subjected to pulling forces. This preliminary action prevents the second pullout portion from being pulled out alone while maintaining compact storage dimensions.
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 design effectively prevents the second slide member from being pulled out or stored alone, thereby protecting the tray from external damage and ensuring proper operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first engaging portion is provided on a side surface of the first slide member and is an elastically deformable elastic piece having a first engaging protrusion which protrudes sideways
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is a sheet stacking tray such that damage due to external force can be suppressed. The sheet stacking tray (30) is provided with a tray body (40), a first slide member (50), and a second slide member (60). When the first slide member and the second slide member are pulled out, the engagement between a first storage catch portion (44) of the tray body and a first latch portion (52) of the first slide member is released, and then the engagement between a second storage catch portion (54) of the first slide member and a second latch portion (62) of the second slide member is released. When the first slide member and the second slide member are stored, the engagement between a second pull-out catch portion (55) of the first slide member and the second latch portion of the second slide member is released, and then the engagement between a first pull-out catch portion (45) of the tray body and the first latch portion of the first slide member is released.