Curved Sheet Separator Surface for Collision-Free Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet separators face difficulties in properly separating sheets, especially when a large number of sheets are stacked, as the leading end of the top sheet may collide with the separation surface before reaching the nip position, causing bending issues.

Innovation Solution

A sheet separator design featuring a separation roller and pad with a curved surface upstream of the nip position and a flat surface downstream, guiding the leading end of the sheet to intersect the separation surface at a smaller angle, preventing collisions and ensuring proper separation regardless of the number of sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat separation surface is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but when a large number of sheets are stacked, the leading end of the top sheet collides with the separation surface before reaching the nip position, causing sheet bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation surface structureVSAvoidsheet separation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation surface is designed with a curved shape instead of a flat surface. The upstream portion has a curvature radius that is larger than that of the separation roller, creating a gradual transition that guides the sheet leading end smoothly toward the nip position without collision, regardless of the number of sheets stacked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a curved separation surface is used, then sheet separation reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separation qualityVSAvoidseparation surface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If the separation surface is positioned closer to the nip position, then separation efficiency is improved, but the leading end of the sheet is more likely to collide with the separation surface when many sheets are stacked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separation efficiencyVSAvoidsheet collision and bending

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved upstream portion of the separation surface provides a gradual transition zone that allows the sheet leading end to follow the curvature and reach the nip position smoothly, preventing collision even when the separation surface is positioned optimally for efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved upstream portion of the separation surface preliminarily guides the sheet leading end along a predetermined trajectory before it reaches the nip position. This preliminary guidance action ensures that the sheet is properly positioned and oriented before entering the separation zone, preventing collision regardless of the number of sheets stacked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9278822B2Sheet separator and image reader having the same

Publication Date: 2016.03.08 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A sheet separator including a separation roller and a separation pad having a separation surface facing an outer circumferential surface of the separation roller in a nip position between the separation surface and the outer circumferential surface, the separation surface including a first surface disposed upstream relative to the nip position in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, the first surface including a curved surface that is curved to become closer to the axis in a direction toward the nip position from an upstream end portion of the separation surface in the first direction, and a second surface disposed downstream relative to the nip position in the first direction, the second surface flatly extending along a second direction parallel to the axis.