Adjustable Air Nozzle Sheet Feeding for Coated Paper Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face feeding failures such as non-feeding or multi-feeding when handling coated papers due to strong adhesion between sheets, especially in high-humidity environments, as the air blowing ports do not adjust to the changing height of the sheet bundle.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a pivotable supporting unit and adjustable air nozzles that blow air directly to the vicinity of the uppermost sheet, adjusting their position based on the sheet bundle height to ensure consistent separation and feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed air blowing port is used in the air separating unit, then the structure is simple, but the air blowing position does not match the changing height of the sheet bundle, causing feeding failures
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing port is made movable in the vertical direction to dynamically adjust its position according to the changing height of the sheet bundle. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the air blowing port always positions correctly relative to the uppermost sheet, maintaining reliable separation and feeding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the uppermost sheet is detected by a sensor, and this position information is fed back to control the movable air blowing port to adjust to the correct height. This feedback mechanism ensures precise positioning of the air blowing port relative to the sheet bundle top surface.
2Reliability
If the air blowing port is lowered to match decreased sheet bundle height, then the air separation effectiveness is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing port is designed with movable structure that can adjust its vertical position dynamically. This allows the air blowing port to be lowered when the sheet bundle height decreases, maintaining effective air separation while adapting to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable air blowing port mechanism serves multiple functions: it maintains proper positioning for air separation effectiveness, adapts to varying sheet bundle heights, and ensures consistent feeding operation across different loading conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coated paper is used in high-humidity environment, then recording media diversity is improved, but strong adhesion between sheets causes non-feeding or multi-feeding
Solution Approach 1:
Air separation is performed in advance before the feeding process to separate sheets and reduce adhesion. By blowing air to the uppermost sheet beforehand, the sheets are separated and fed one by one, preventing non-feeding or multi-feeding issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Air flow is used as a separating force to overcome the strong adhesion between coated paper sheets in high-humidity environments. The air blowing port directs气流 to separate sheets before feeding, enabling reliable feeding of coated media.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures reliable separation and feeding of sheets, even with strong adhesion, by constantly blowing air to the vicinity of the uppermost sheet, preventing feeding failures like non-feeding or multi-feeding.
Implementation Method 1
an air nozzle movably provided at the side regulating portion and configured to blow air in the sheet width direction toward at least an uppermost sheet of a sheet bundle supported on the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a supporting unit, a feeding unit, a side regulating portion, an air nozzle, and an air supplying unit. The air nozzle is movably provided at the side regulating portion and blows air in the sheet width direction toward at least an uppermost sheet of a sheet bundle supported on a support surface. The air nozzle is positioned at a first nozzle position for blowing the air to a first blowing position when the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle supported on the support surface is positioned at a first sheet position. The air nozzle is positioned at a second nozzle position for blowing the air to a second blowing position below the first blowing position when the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle supported on the support surface is positioned at a second sheet position below the first sheet position.