Recording Sheet Stacking Tray with Movable Restriction Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recording sheet stacking trays face issues with sheet feed errors due to backward movement of small and rigid sheets, and existing trailing edge restriction plates require complex operation and are not easily movable, leading to unstable sheet stacks and potential loss.
Innovation Solution
A recording sheet stacking tray with a sub-tray and trailing edge restriction member that is easily movable and contained, featuring a first turning fulcrum for the sub-tray and a trailing edge restriction member that can be turned about a second fulcrum for precise positioning, ensuring a flat upper surface and preventing sheet feed errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a trailing edge restriction plate is made movable to restrict different sheet sizes, then adaptability to different sheet sizes is improved, but device complexity increases due to grooves and guiding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing edge restriction plate is made movable along the sheet feed direction with a simple linear guide structure. The plate can be positioned at different locations to restrict trailing edges of different sheet sizes, providing adaptability without complex mechanisms. The movability is achieved through a straightforward sliding structure that reduces device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a trailing edge restriction plate is made detachable for different sheet sizes, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to labor and time required for attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing edge restriction plate is designed to be movable rather than detachable, allowing users to simply slide the plate to different positions for different sheet sizes. This eliminates the need for attachment and detachment operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability to various sheet dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailing edge restriction plate is kept separately, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of loss when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing edge restriction plate is integrated into the sheet feed tray structure, where it can be stored within the tray when not in use. This integration ensures the plate is always available and eliminates the risk of loss, while still allowing it to be moved to different positions for different sheet sizes, maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If a groove is formed in the sheet feed tray for guiding the restriction plate, then ease of moving the plate is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the non-flat upper surface
Solution Approach 1:
The trailing edge restriction plate is moved along the sheet feed direction using a simple linear sliding mechanism. The plate can be positioned at different locations to restrict trailing edges of different sheet sizes. This dynamic positioning system maintains a relatively flat upper surface while providing ease of movement for the restriction plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording sheet stacking tray stores a stack of recording sheets to be fed into an image forming apparatus. The recording sheet stacking tray includes a sheet feed tray main body, a sub-tray, and a trailing edge restriction member. The sheet feed tray main body has a first turning fulcrum extending perpendicular to a sheet feed direction of the recording sheets in a plan view. The sub-tray is attached to the sheet feed tray main body in such a manner that the sub-tray is turnable about the first turning fulcrum and extendable from the sheet feed tray main body. The trailing edge restriction member is attached to the sub-tray and restricts trailing edges of the recording sheets in the sheet feed direction.