Sheet Tray Elastic Friction Segmentation for Click Feel and Smooth Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet tray designs face challenges in maintaining a good operation feeling while achieving both the click sensation at specific extension/contraction positions and allowing smooth movement between these positions with a small load requirement.
Innovation Solution
The sheet tray design incorporates a first tray with a first support surface and a second tray with a second support surface, featuring elastic friction and contact portions that deform and return to their original shape at specific positions, allowing precise control over the movement and load required for extension/contraction, thereby enhancing the click feeling and operational smoothness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the trays are constructed to make it difficult for one of the protrusions to move beyond the other, then the click feeling is improved, but the movement from small protruding position to large protruding position is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The single protrusion structure is segmented into multiple protrusions (first protrusion and second protrusion) arranged in the movement direction. Each protrusion interacts with corresponding recesses at different positions to provide distinct functional effects: the first protrusion provides click feeling at the small protruding position, while the second protrusion enables movement to the large protruding position.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tray structure are given different friction characteristics. The first friction portion is designed to provide high friction for click feeling, while the second friction portion is designed to provide low friction for smooth movement. This local differentiation of friction properties allows simultaneous achievement of both click sensation and ease of movement.
2Ease of operation
If the trays are constructed to make it easy for one of the protrusions to move beyond the other, then the movement between positions is improved, but the click feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-providing structure is segmented into multiple friction portions (first friction portion and second friction portion) with different characteristics. The first friction portion generates high friction for click feeling, while the second friction portion generates low friction for smooth movement, resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the contact interface are assigned different friction properties. The first friction portion located at the small protruding position provides high friction for click sensation, while the second friction portion located at the large protruding position provides low friction for easy movement, allowing both functions to coexist.
3Ease of operation
If great force is applied to move the second tray from retracted position to small protruding position, then the movement is achieved, but the protrusions may move beyond each other without stopping, causing the tray to pass through the small protruding position
Solution Approach 1:
The first friction portion is designed to provide high friction beforehand at the small protruding position, creating a self-latching effect that prevents the protrusions from moving beyond each other. This prior cushioning of friction ensures that even when great force is applied, the tray will stop at the intended position rather than passing through it.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter is changed at different positions and stages of movement. The first friction portion provides high friction during the initial movement to prevent overshooting, while the second friction portion provides low friction for subsequent smooth movement. This dynamic parameter change ensures both reliable positioning and ease of operation.
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 ensures a clear click feeling at specific positions while minimizing the load needed for extension/contraction, reducing the likelihood of the second tray passing through intermediate positions and maintaining a stable operation feeling across various sheet sizes.
Implementation Method 1
one of a first friction portion and a first contact portion deformable elastically; and one of a second friction portion and a second contact portion deformable elastically
Implementation Method 2
The first friction portion contacts the first contact portion to elastically deform the first contact portion
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet tray includes a first tray and a second tray each including a first friction portion or a first contact portion, and a second friction portion or a second contact portion. In a process of movement of the second tray from a first position to a second position, the first friction portion contacts the first contact portion to deform the first contact portion and starts returning the first contact portion from a deformed shape to an original shape when the second tray is located at a position spaced apart from the second position in a second direction. The second friction portion contacts the second contact portion when the second tray moved from the first position in a first direction has reached the second position, and the second friction portion deforms the second contact portion when the second tray is moved from the second position in the first direction.