Sheet Support Mechanism with Differential Friction Brake for Stable Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance apparatuses and image forming apparatuses face issues with maintainability and external appearance due to the positioning of handles and pivot shafts, leading to insufficient maintainability and poor external appearance.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a pivotally supported door portion and a single integrated handle, positioned in the lower portion of the apparatus body, along with a lock mechanism and a brake mechanism for improved stability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pivot shaft is positioned above the handle portion, then the handle can be disposed below the cover, but the opening portion formed when the cover is opened becomes smaller, causing insufficient maintainability
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot shaft is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the handle) to a horizontal arrangement (at the lower end of the handle in the width direction). This dimensional change allows the opening portion to be sufficiently large for maintainability while keeping the handle accessible below the cover for ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If separate handle portions are used on the right side, then lifting functionality is provided, but more boundary lines between components are formed, causing poor external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The handle portion is designed as a single integrated component that combines both the lifting handle functionality and the cover pivot shaft support. This merging eliminates the need for separate handle portions and reduces boundary lines between components, improving external appearance while maintaining lifting functionality.
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
Enhances maintainability, improves external appearance, and ensures stable sheet conveyance by reducing misalignment and deviation of the door portion, while simplifying the lock mechanism and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a brake unit configured to produce a first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet support apparatus includes a sheet support portion to support a sheet, and a regulation portion supported by the sheet support portion such that the regulation portion moves in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, with the regulation portion regulating a position of a downstream edge, in the first direction, of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion. In addition, a brake unit produces a first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the second direction, and produces a second frictional force larger than the first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the first direction.