Sheet Tray Attachment Assist with Controlled Drawing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment assist devices for image forming apparatuses are bulky, require excessive force for sheet tray insertion, and may cause sheet displacement or damage due to uneven force distribution, leading to substandard image formation and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An attachment assist device with an engaging member, drawing-force generator, biasing members, and rotational members that serially convert biasing forces into a controlled drawing force, allowing smooth and controlled insertion of the sheet tray into the main unit, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet tray is pushed into the main unit by the user, then the sheet tray can be attached to the main unit, but the user experiences excessive burden and risk of damage due to the heavy weight of the filled sheet tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a drawing-force generator that produces a drawing force to pull the sheet tray into the main unit, counteracting the gravitational force acting on the heavy sheet tray. This eliminates the need for the user to manually push the heavy tray, thereby reducing user burden while accommodating the full weight of the loaded sheet tray.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an attachment assist device as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the sheet tray. This device includes a drawing-force generator that automatically draws the sheet tray into the main unit, mediating the interaction and eliminating the direct physical effort required from the user to handle the heavy tray.
2Ease of operation
If the sheet tray is pushed with excessive force, then the sheet tray can be inserted, but the sheets may be displaced or the sheet tray may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assist device acts as an intermediary that controls the insertion process. The drawing-force generator provides a regulated drawing force that moves the sheet tray at a controlled speed, preventing excessive force application that could displace sheets or damage the tray structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a speed-dependent damper that dynamically adjusts the damping force based on the movement speed of the sheet tray. When the tray moves quickly, increased damping force is applied to slow it down and prevent impact damage. This dynamic control ensures gentle, controlled insertion that protects sheets and tray components.
3Ease of operation
If conventional attachment assist devices are used, then the sheet tray can be drawn into the main unit, but the device size becomes large relative to the drawing distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drawing function into multiple independent components: a drawing-force generator, speed-dependent damper, and engagement mechanism. This modular segmentation allows each component to be compact and efficiently positioned within the main unit, reducing the overall volume of the attachment assist device while maintaining the automatic drawing function.
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
The solution enables efficient and controlled attachment of the sheet tray, reducing user burden, preventing sheet displacement, and ensuring high-quality image formation by providing a balanced and controlled force mechanism, thus enhancing operational efficiency and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of biasing members is serially connected with the plurality of rotational members to convert the biasing forces of the plurality of biasing members to the drawing force
Data Source
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AI summary
An attachment assist device (70, 72) includes an engaging member, an engaged member (71), a drawing-force generator, biasing members (703, 704), and rotational members (705, 707). The engaging member is provided at one of a main unit (500) and a sub unit (9C, F) detachably attached to the main unit (500). The engaged member (71) is engaged by the engaging member and provided at the other of the main unit (500) and the sub unit (9C, F). The drawing-force generator generates a drawing force to draw the sub unit (9C, F) into an interior of the main unit (500). The biasing members (703, 704) are provided at the drawing-force generator to generate biasing forces in different directions. The rotational members (705, 707) are provided rotatably around support points at the drawing-force generator and engaged with the biasing members (703, 704). The biasing members (703, 704) are serially connected with the rotational members (705, 707) to convert the biasing forces of the biasing members (703, 704) to the drawing force.