Tilting Container Member Trailing Edge Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when a container body tilts such that the leading edge of a recording medium is higher than the trailing edge, the trailing edge can cross over the trailing edge restriction portion due to movement in the thickness direction, causing interference and instability in the recording medium's position.
Innovation Solution
A container member with a container body that tilts to position the leading edge higher than the trailing edge, incorporating a trailing edge restriction portion and a restriction portion to prevent movement of the trailing edge in the thickness direction, using a combination of slits and a projecting portion to securely hold the trailing edge in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container body tilts such that the leading edge is higher than the trailing edge, then the recording medium can be fed more reliably, but the trailing edge moves in the thickness direction and crosses over the trailing edge restriction portion
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction portion extends in the thickness direction of the recording medium to form a three-dimensional constraint structure. This multi-dimensional restriction prevents the trailing edge from moving in the thickness direction while maintaining the tilting function for reliable feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction portion acts as an intermediary element between the trailing edge and the container body. It mediates the interaction by providing a physical barrier that prevents the trailing edge from crossing over, while allowing the container body to maintain its tilting motion for feeding.
2Manufacturing precision
If the trailing edge is restricted in the front-rear direction, then the position is controlled, but the trailing edge can still move in the thickness direction and cross over the restriction portion
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction portion is designed to extend in the thickness direction, adding a third dimension of constraint to the existing front-rear direction restriction. This creates a comprehensive three-dimensional constraint system that prevents movement in multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction portion provides localized constraint at the trailing edge region. By concentrating the restriction function at this specific location and extending it in the thickness direction, the design achieves precise control of the trailing edge position without affecting other parts of the recording medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A container member includes a container body that contains a recording medium and that tilts with respect to a horizontal direction such that a leading edge of the contained recording medium is higher than a trailing edge, a trailing edge restriction portion that comes into contact with the trailing edge of the recording medium that is contained in the container body in a front-rear direction of the recording medium and that restricts a position of the trailing edge of the recording medium, and a restriction portion that restricts movement of the trailing edge in a thickness direction of the recording medium that is contained in the container body.