Sheet Supporting Apparatus with Projected Portion for Sag Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet supporting apparatuses in image forming devices face issues with sagging and overloading of sheets, particularly when supporting large-sized sheets, leading to feeding failures and reduced stability due to weakened tray structures.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supporting apparatus with a liftably supported sheet supporting portion and a projected portion on the lifting mechanism that allows the sheet supporting portion to be lifted without interfering with the width regulating components, ensuring stable support and preventing sagging and overloading by maintaining the tray's strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the auxiliary supporting portion is extended greatly in the width direction to prevent sheet sagging, then sheet support stability is improved, but the tray strength is weakened due to the need for independent cutouts
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary supporting function is segmented from the tray structure and assigned to a separate lifting portion. The tray maintains its integrity while the lifting portion (with projected portion) provides the necessary support extension underneath the sheet, eliminating the need for cutouts in the tray itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting portion acts as an intermediary component between the tray and the sheet. It includes the projected portion that extends under the sheet to provide support without requiring modifications to the tray structure, thus preserving tray strength while achieving sheet support stability.
2Area of stationary object
If the auxiliary supporting portion is extended greatly in the width direction to support large sheets, then sheet support coverage is improved, but the tray structure becomes complex requiring independent cutouts
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into the tray (for positioning) and the lifting portion with projected portion (for support coverage). This segmentation allows the projected portion to extend coverage area without adding complexity to the tray structure, as the lifting portion is a separate, simpler component.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting portion serves as an intermediary that provides extended support coverage under the sheet without requiring the tray itself to be modified with cutouts. This maintains tray structure simplicity while achieving the necessary support coverage area for large sheets.
3Strength
If the auxiliary supporting portion is merely extended slightly to maintain tray strength, then tray strength is preserved, but sheet support coverage is insufficient causing sagging
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting portion with projected portion acts as an intermediary support element that compensates for the limited extension of the auxiliary supporting portion. It provides the additional support coverage needed to prevent sheet sagging while the tray itself remains unmodified and maintains its full strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supporting apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion supported liftably between a standby position and a lifted position, a lifting portion arranged below the sheet supporting portion, and configured to lift the sheet supporting portion toward the lifted position by pressing the sheet supporting portion from below. The sheet supporting portion includes a supporting surface defining a non-interference region in which a width regulating portion can move in a width direction. A projected portion is provided on the lifting portion, and configured to project upward toward a non-interference region.