Sheet Tray Device with Movable Nested Trays for Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet tray devices for image forming apparatuses require frequent sheet replacement when handling media sheets of different sizes, leading to poor maneuverability and difficulties in refilling due to the arrangement of multiple trays, which can cause the second tray to rotate or be removed incorrectly.
Innovation Solution
A sheet tray device design where the second tray is movably supported by the first tray using a main slide portion and rotation-preventing slide portion, preventing rotation and removal by engaging with rail portions, allowing secure movement without risk of misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tray member is used to accommodate media sheets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the maneuverability deteriorates due to frequent sheet replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet tray device is divided into a first tray for accommodating first size sheets and a second tray for accommodating second size sheets. The second tray can be selectively moved to cover or expose the first tray, allowing users to access different tray types without replacing entire trays, thus improving maneuverability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second tray is disposed on an upper side of the first tray and can cover the upper opening of the first tray when positioned. This nested arrangement allows the second tray to overlay the first tray, enabling compact design with multiple sheet size accommodations without significantly increasing overall device footprint or complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second tray is disposed to cover the upper opening of the first tray, then multiple sheet sizes can be accommodated, but the refilling operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray is made movable relative to the first tray along the lateral direction. When refilling is needed, the second tray can be moved laterally to expose the upper opening of the first tray, allowing easy access for sheet refilling. After refilling, the second tray can be returned to its covering position, maintaining the compact nested arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If the second tray is made movable relative to the first tray, then the maneuverability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of rotation or removal
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component to bridge between opposite side walls of the first tray and support the second tray. The support member includes slide portions that engage with rail portions formed on the first tray, providing guided movement while preventing rotation or unintended removal of the second tray, thus maintaining reliability during lateral movement operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet tray device (300) including (a) a first tray (310) and (b) a second tray (360) which is disposed on an upper side of the first tray and which includes (b-1) a support member (361) which bridges between opposite side walls (312) of the first tray and which is movable relative to the opposite side walls, and (b-2) a supported body (380) pivotably supported by the support member. Each of the opposite side walls includes a first rail portion (320) and a second rail portion (325) that is located on an upper side of the first rail portion. The support member includes (i) a main slide portion (362) that is slidably held in contact with an upper surface (321) of the first rail portion, (ii) a removal-preventing slide portion (363) that extends through a space between the first and second rail portions so as to prevent removal of the support member of the second tray from the first tray, and (iii) a rotation-preventing slide portion (364) that is slidably held in contact with a side surface of the first rail portion so as to prevent rotation of the support member of the second tray relative to the first tray. Also disclosed is an image forming apparatus (100) including the sheet tray device.