Sheet Tray Guide Member Dynamics for Interference-Free Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet trays in image recording devices face challenges in maintaining rigidity while being extendable and retractable, often with rear guides interfering with the mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A sheet tray design comprising a first tray, a second tray, and a guide member, where the second tray is movable between positions to support sheets over different areas, and a rail with engagement portions allows the guide member to change states, enabling smooth extension and retraction without interference from the rear guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rear guide is mounted on the sheet tray to position sheet edges, then sheet positioning accuracy is improved, but the tray's extension and retraction movement is interfered with by the guide
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to be movable relative to the second tray, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During tray extension and retraction, the guide member can move independently to avoid interfering with the movement, while still maintaining sheet positioning accuracy when the tray is stationary and sheets are loaded.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is separated from the second tray as an independent component that can move relative to it. This segmentation allows the guide function to be decoupled from the tray's movement mechanism, enabling the tray to extend and retract freely while the guide member remains positioned to accurately locate sheet edges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second tray is made extendable and retractable to support various sheet sizes, then adaptability is improved, but rigidity of the tray structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement shifter mechanism provides dynamic locking and releasing of the guide member to the second tray. When locked, it provides structural rigidity; when released, it allows the guide member to move independently during tray extension and retraction, maintaining both rigidity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement shifter is designed to engage the guide member with the second tray beforehand to prevent excessive movement or deformation during operation. This pre-engagement mechanism ensures the guide member remains securely positioned relative to the tray, maintaining structural rigidity while allowing controlled adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A second tray is movable along a first direction, relative to a first tray, between a first position and a second position. The second tray includes a rail extending along the first direction, and engagement portions disposed along the rail. The rail includes an overlap portion which overlaps a sheet support surface of the first tray when the second tray is at the first position. A guide member is supported by the rail and movable along the first direction to contact an edge of a sheet supported by the second tray. A contact portion of the first tray disengages the guide member from one of the engagement portions upon contact with the guide member during movement of the second tray from the second position toward the first position while the guide member is supported at the overlap portion of the rail.