Supply Tray Locking Mechanism for Stable Paper Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with reliable manual feeding of recording mediums of different sizes or types due to guide plates shifting from optimal positions under external forces like vibration, leading to feeding failures.
Innovation Solution
A supply tray design with a slidable second tray and locking mechanism that secures the second tray at a predetermined position relative to the main tray, ensuring consistent feeding regardless of recording medium size or type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide plate is made slidable to enable manual feeding of recording mediums, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to spontaneous sliding from vibration and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the guide plate from sliding due to vibration and impact. The elastic member continuously exerts a locking force that opposes the external forces attempting to displace the guide plate, ensuring position stability while maintaining manual feeding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be easily moved by user operation (low friction during intentional movement) while simultaneously being lockable to resist vibration and impact (high friction or mechanical locking during external disturbances). This dynamic design enables the system to switch between mobile and fixed states as needed.
2Reliability
If the guide plate is made fixed to prevent spontaneous sliding, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as manual adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate incorporates a locking mechanism with an elastic member that creates a dynamic system: during normal operation, the locking mechanism engages to prevent sliding and ensure reliability; during manual adjustment, the user can overcome the elastic force to slide the guide plate to the desired position. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between fixed and mobile states as needed.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the guide plate, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-activating through the elastic member that automatically engages with the guide plate's positioning features. The elastic member continuously exerts a locking force without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or control systems, thereby improving feeding reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A supply tray includes a first tray configured to receive a stack of recording medium thereon, and a second tray configured to receive at least one recording medium thereon, which is different in size or type, or both, from the stack of recording medium received on the first tray. The second tray is disposed in an upper portion of the first tray and is slidable within a predetermined direction. The supply tray further includes a locking mechanism configured to place and to fix the second tray in position with respect to the first tray.