Paper Discharge Tray Skew-Correction Mechanism for Light Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper discharging trays in recording apparatuses require significant operating force due to manufacturing variations causing looseness, leading to increased sliding resistance and degraded operability during insertion and extraction.
Innovation Solution
A drawing apparatus with a couple application mechanism that corrects skewing of the paper discharging tray by applying a couple force through contact points, increasing the distance between action lines as the tray is pressed, reducing sliding resistance and improving operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rail portions are provided to guide the paper discharging tray for linear movement, then the tray can be inserted and extracted, but manufacturing variations cause looseness leading to increased sliding resistance and degraded operability
Solution Approach 1:
The couple application mechanism is activated before the tray insertion/extraction is completed to preemptively correct skewing caused by manufacturing looseness. By applying the couple force in advance during the movement process, the system compensates for potential misalignment before it translates into high sliding resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the distance between action lines of the couple forces based on the pressing amount of the tray. As the tray is pressed into the apparatus main body, the distance between action lines increases, thereby increasing the couple moment to counteract the skewing force more effectively
2Ease of manufacture
If looseness is provided to allow manufacturing variations, then components can be manufactured more easily, but the paper discharging tray becomes inclined during insertion and extraction requiring large operating force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of looseness-induced skewing into a beneficial self-correcting mechanism. The couple application mechanism uses the pressing force itself to generate a corrective couple moment that counteracts the skewing, transforming the problematic looseness into an opportunity for active correction during the pressing operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the paper discharging tray is made to protrude from the apparatus main body, then it can receive recording materials, but it unnecessarily occupies installation space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The paper discharging tray is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to switch between protruding and retracted states. During recording operations, the tray protrudes to receive and discharge recording materials. When not in use, the tray is pressed back into the apparatus main body by the couple application mechanism, minimizing the occupied installation space
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a drawing apparatus including: a base member; and a drawing member that is attached so as to be capable of being drawn and pressed in a reciprocating direction with respect to the base member, wherein the base member has a couple application mechanism that applies a couple for correcting skewing of the drawing member with respect to the reciprocating direction to the drawing member as a reaction of a force by which the drawing member is pressed, and wherein the couple application mechanism is configured so that a distance between action lines of two forces generating the couple becomes large as a pressing amount of the drawing member with respect to the base member increases.