Sheet Supply Tray Pivot Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus requires lifting the sheet supply tray for attachment or removal, which complicates handling and impairs ease of use.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a sliding sheet supply tray and a restriction member that pivots to allow attachment or removal without the need for lifting, using a contact surface to move the restriction member to a withdrawal position before the tray reaches the outside position, eliminating the need for the restriction member to restrict the tray's movement during attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet supply tray is attached to or removed from the main body by sliding, then the handling ease is improved, but the restriction member may be damaged by contact with the inclined surface during attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is designed to move the restriction member to the withdrawal position before the sheet supply tray reaches the outside position during attachment. This preliminary action prevents the restriction member from contacting the inclined surface, thereby avoiding damage while maintaining smooth handling
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the sheet supply tray and the restriction member. It transfers force to move the restriction member to the withdrawal position, preventing direct harmful contact between the tray and the restriction member during attachment
2Stability of the object's composition
If the restriction member restricts movement at the outside position, then tray positioning is improved, but attachment process complexity increases due to the need for the restriction member to move over the inclined surface
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction member is moved to the withdrawal position by the contact surface before the tray completes its attachment motion. This preliminary positioning simplifies the attachment process by eliminating the need for the restriction member to traverse the inclined surface, reducing operational complexity while maintaining positioning stability
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 simplifies the attachment and removal process by eliminating the need for the restriction member's operation over an inclined surface, improving ease of use and reducing the risk of damage to the restriction member, while maintaining effective tray positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a first inclined surface configured to restrict the movement of the sheet supply tray to the outside of the main body by contact with the restriction member located at the restriction position
Implementation Method 2
a contact surface configured to, when the sheet supply tray moves toward the inside position, cause the restriction member to move to the withdrawal position by contact with the restriction member
Implementation Method 3
a restriction release surface configured to, when the sheet supply tray moves from the inside position toward outside of the main body, contact the restriction member to cause the restriction member to move from the restriction position to the withdrawal position by that the sheet supply tray located at the outside position pivots around a downstream end of the sheet supply tray in the attachment direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a sheet supply tray, and a restriction member configured to restrict movement of the sheet supply tray to outside of the main body and including an arm configured to move between a restriction position and a withdrawal position, and a restriction release surface. One of the main body and the sheet supply tray includes the restriction member. The other one includes a first inclined surface and a contact surface. The restriction release surface is configured to, when the sheet supply tray moves from an inside position toward outside of the main body, contact the restriction member to cause the restriction member to move from the restriction position to the withdrawal position by that the sheet supply tray located at the outside position pivots around a downstream end of the sheet supply tray in the attachment direction.