Swing Bottom Cassette Resolves Paper Feed Lock
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper feeding devices face instability due to fluctuations in the wedge angle and the occurrence of non-feed lock states, which can lead to motor overload and gear damage, particularly when paper consumption increases and friction coefficients vary.
Innovation Solution
A medium accommodation cassette with a bottom surface featuring a first and second bottom surface, where the second surface is a swing or flexible member that increases the separation angle when it sinks, preventing and resolving non-feed lock states by allowing the leading edge of the paper to climb the separation slope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a feed roller is provided at one end side of a rotatable arm to feed paper, then the device structure is simplified, but the wedge angle fluctuates with increased paper consumption causing unstable paper feed condition
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller is made movable along the arm rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic configuration enables the feed roller to maintain an appropriate wedge angle with the paper stack regardless of paper consumption level, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and feed stability.
2Productivity
If the distance from the feed roller to the inclined wall becomes shorter with arm rotation, then the paper feed path is shortened, but the leading edge of paper cannot bend properly generating a non-feed lock state
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller's movable position along the arm allows dynamic adjustment of the paper feed path length. When paper consumption increases and the arm rotates, the feed roller can reposition to maintain sufficient bending space, preventing non-feed lock states while still enabling efficient paper feeding.
3Force
If friction coefficient between sheets or between paper and cassette bottom surface becomes larger, then paper grip is improved, but a non-feed lock state is generated due to excessive friction
Solution Approach 1:
The movable feed roller configuration allows adjustment of the wedge angle parameter. By optimizing this geometric parameter, the system can achieve effective paper grip through the wedge effect while maintaining smooth paper feed, resolving the contradiction between sufficient friction for grip and excessive friction causing lock states.
Data Source
AI summary
The bottom surface of a paper cassette that supports recording paper is configured of a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The second bottom surface is formed of a swing member having a fulcrum at the downstream side in the paper feeding direction and being capable of swinging about the fulcrum with the upstream side in the paper feeding direction serving as a free end, thereby providing a structure in which an angle formed by the second bottom surface and a separation slope increases when the second bottom surface is caused to sink downward by a swing of the swing member.