Trailing Edge Regulation Mechanism for Sheet Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the positions of the trailing edge and side edge regulation portions in sheet feeding cassettes often become misaligned due to impact during insertion, leading to sheet misalignment and issues like jamming or miss feeding, which degrade image quality.
Innovation Solution
A fixation mechanism with a tooth row on the cassette body and a holding member on the regulation portion, along with a stopper portion to prevent misalignment, ensures the regulation portions maintain their correct positions during sheet size changes and insertion, using a tooth row and rack mechanism for precise adjustment and a stopper to counteract impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet feeding cassette is removably mounted to allow easy sheet loading and unloading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the position of the regulation portions becomes misaligned due to impact during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed to automatically engage with the tooth row upon cassette insertion, preliminarily securing the regulation portion at the correct position before any sheet feeding operation occurs. This preliminary engagement prevents impact-induced misalignment while maintaining easy cassette removal and reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth row and holding member act as an intermediary mechanism between the cassette body and the regulation portion. This intermediary structure transmits and stabilizes the positional relationship, ensuring that impact forces during insertion do not directly transfer to the regulation portion, thereby maintaining alignment precision while allowing removable mounting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the regulation portions are made slidable to allow easy position switching according to sheet size, then the adaptability is improved, but the position stability deteriorates under impact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation portion is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to slide along the cassette body for position adjustment according to different sheet sizes. The holding member with tooth row engagement provides dynamic locking capability, enabling the system to transition between movable (for adjustment) and fixed (for stable operation) states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the regulation portion can be changed by sliding it to different locations on the tooth row, corresponding to different sheet sizes. The holding member engages at different tooth positions to maintain various regulation positions, allowing parameter change (position adjustment) while maintaining stability through mechanical engagement.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rack claws are provided at constant fine pitch to enable precise position setting, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the tooth row with multiple engagement positions, the holding member with engagement capability, and the stopper portion. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, achieving precise position setting through the tooth row's fine pitch without requiring the entire mechanism to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed to automatically engage with the tooth row at the appropriate position through its own movement and positioning capabilities, without requiring external complex mechanisms. The stopper portion similarly provides automatic positioning assistance, allowing the system to achieve precise positioning through self-service rather than complex external control.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, in which a trailing edge regulation portion is moved to a position according to a sheet contained in a cassette body to regulate a position of the sheet. A positioning lever is swingably provided to the trailing edge regulation portion to be engaged with a rack tooth row provided on the cassette body. The trailing edge regulation portion is held by the positioning lever at a regulation position according to the sheet. When a force in a sliding direction is applied to the trailing edge regulation portion, the trailing edge regulation portion is moved to be brought into pressure contact with the positioning lever, thereby regulating movement in an engagement releasing direction of the positioning lever engaged with the rack tooth row.