Stacking Device Abutting Member Breakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking devices for image forming apparatuses face issues where abutting members can break when the device is attached or detached with great power, due to interference between components during the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A stacking device with a first supporting unit and a second supporting unit, where the second supporting unit has a corresponding region that aligns with the abutting member's position, ensuring the abutting member does not break during attachment or detachment, and a control unit stops conveying when either abutting member reaches its maximum height position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet stacking unit and rear end wall are separated from the conveying unit during paper jam clearing, then user access to jammed sheets is improved, but the abutting member may break due to interference with the rear end wall when returning to original positions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components (sheet stacking unit and rear end wall) that can be detached from the conveying unit during paper jam clearing operations. This segmentation allows users to access jammed sheets by removing potential obstructions, while the abutting member's lowered position prevents interference-related breakage during reassembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the abutting member is positioned to abut on sheets at varying heights, then adaptability to different sheet stack heights is improved, but the abutting member height creates interference risk with the rear end wall during attachment/detachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting member is designed with selectively positionable regions: a first region for abutting on sheets at normal operating heights, and a second (lowered) region for use during attachment/detachment operations. This local differentiation allows the member to adapt to varying sheet heights during normal operation while preventing interference with the rear end wall during maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If the stacking device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus body, then ease of maintenance and access is improved, but the abutting member may break during powerful attachment or detachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting member is designed with a lowered second region that acts as a protective measure before interference can occur during attachment/detachment operations. This pre-positioned lower region cushioning prevents the abutting member from being subjected to excessive forces that could cause breakage, while still allowing powerful attachment and detachment operations to proceed.
Data Source
AI summary
A stacking device which is detachably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus having an abutting member that abuts on a recording material and on which a recording material is stacked includes: a first supporting unit that supports the recording material from a lower side of the recording material; and a second supporting unit that supports an end of the recording material in an attachment/detachment direction of the stacking device. The second supporting unit includes a corresponding region, and a position of the corresponding region agrees with a position of the abutting member abut with the recording material in a width direction which is orthogonal to the attachment/detachment direction. At least a height of the corresponding region in a direction orthogonal to the attachment/detachment direction and the width direction is lower than a height of the abutting member.