Sheet Tray Hinge Mechanism for Compact Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet tray devices for image forming apparatuses are cumbersome due to the need for frequent sheet replacements when handling media sheets of various sizes, and existing double-deck designs complicate refilling the first tray due to the arrangement of the second tray covering its opening.
Innovation Solution
A compact sheet tray device with a hinge construction that includes a support member bridging the first tray's side walls, a pivotable supported body, and a hinge with a shaft portion and bearing portions to prevent removal, allowing for efficient sheet size changes without increasing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single tray member is used to accommodate media sheets, then the device size is kept compact, but frequent sheet replacement is required when handling various sizes of media sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet tray is divided into a first tray for larger sheets and a second tray for smaller sheets, allowing simultaneous accommodation of different sized media sheets without requiring frequent replacements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trays are provided to accommodate different sizes of media sheets concurrently, then sheet replacement operation is reduced, but the device size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray is disposed on the upper side of the first tray in a nested arrangement, allowing multiple trays to accommodate different sheet sizes while maintaining a compact overall device footprint
3Area of stationary object
If the second tray is disposed to cover the upper opening of the first tray, then compact size is achieved, but refilling the first tray becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray is made movable relative to the first tray, allowing it to be shifted to expose the upper opening of the first tray for refilling operations, thus maintaining compact size while enabling easy access
4Ease of operation
If the supported body is made pivotable to open and close the upper opening of the first tray, then ease of operation is improved, but the hinge construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into a shaft portion and offset bearing portions with removal preventer portions, simplifying the construction while enabling the pivotable function for opening and closing the upper opening
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet tray device including (a) a first tray and (b) a second tray which is disposed on an upper side of the first tray and which includes (b-1) a support member, (b-2) a supported body pivotably supported by the support member, and (b-3) a hinge through which the supported body is pivotable. The hinge includes (i) a shaft portion, (ii) first and second bearing portions, and (iii) a removal preventer portion for preventing removal of the shaft portion from the first and second bearing portions. The first and second bearing portions are offset from each other in an axial direction of the shaft portion, and are located on respective opposite sides of the shaft portion in a diametrical direction of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion that are contactable with the first and second bearing portions, respectively. Also disclosed is an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray device.