Sheet Supporting Base Locking Mechanism for Transport Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet supporting apparatuses in image forming devices face challenges during transportation due to vibration-induced shaking and damage, as current solutions like adhesive tapes are either too weak or difficult to remove, and user-operated mechanisms can lead to incorrect positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supporting apparatus with a body, elevating supporting portion, sheet regulation mechanism, and movement regulation unit, allowing for secure sheet positioning and easy adjustment between different sheet sizes, and a lockable mechanism to prevent accidental elevation during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet supporting base is disposed in an elevating manner using a wire, then the feed roller can be abutted against the sheet for feeding, but vibration or shock during transportation causes the sheet supporting base to shake and collide against the sheet storage portion, potentially causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a transportation locking mechanism that locks the sheet supporting base in a lowered position before transportation occurs. The locking portion engages with the elevating mechanism to prevent any elevation movement during transport, thereby preventing vibration-induced shaking and collision damage while maintaining the ability to elevate and feed sheets during normal operation.
2Reliability
If packing material and tape are used to fix the sheet supporting base, then damage during transportation is prevented, but the adhesive force is difficult to manage and packing/unpacking requires time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing an automatic locking mechanism that engages and disengages the transportation lock without requiring manual packing or unpacking operations. The locking portion automatically locks the sheet supporting base when the elevating mechanism is in the lowered position, and automatically unlocks when elevation is required, eliminating the time-consuming manual taping and unpacking processes while maintaining reliable damage prevention.
3Reliability
If the sheet supporting base is locked to prevent elevation during transport, then damage is prevented, but the ability to elevate for sheet feeding is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a conditional locking system where the transportation locking mechanism is dynamically engaged or disengaged based on the operational state. The locking portion is designed to automatically engage when the sheet supporting base is in the lowered transport position and automatically disengage when the elevating mechanism activates, allowing the system to adapt between transport protection mode and sheet feeding mode without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supporting apparatus includes a body, a supporting portion configured to be held in an elevating manner by the body and to support a sheet, a sheet regulation portion regulating a position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion, a movement portion capable of moving between a first position where the sheet regulation portion regulates the position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion, and a second position where the supporting portion is regulated from elevating with respect to the body, and a movement regulation unit regulating the movement portion from moving to the second position.