Discharge Unit Guide Unit Sheet Adhesion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image processing devices, the increased angle of the discharge tray to accommodate optional equipment leads to sheet-to-sheet contact due to friction and static electricity, causing energy loss and paper jams, as the rear end of the discharged sheet fails to pass through the discharge port.
Innovation Solution
A discharge unit with a loading surface at a predetermined first inclination angle and a guide unit at a second inclination angle, which partially lifts the sheet, reducing contact area and preventing sheet adhesion, ensuring reliable discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the angle of the discharge tray is increased to accommodate optional equipment, then the area of occupancy is reduced, but sheets adsorb each other due to friction and static electricity, causing paper jam
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit introduces a new spatial dimension by lifting the rear end of the sheet vertically upward, creating a three-dimensional separation between the discharged sheet and the stacked sheets. This dimensional change reduces the contact area from a two-dimensional surface contact to a minimal line or point contact, thereby reducing friction and static electricity adsorption while maintaining a compact discharge tray angle
Solution Approach 2:
The guide unit acts as an intermediary element between the discharged sheet and the stacked sheets. By positioning the guide unit between these two sheets and lifting the discharged sheet's rear end, it prevents direct contact and the associated harmful effects of friction and static electricity, ensuring reliable discharge without increasing the discharge tray angle
2Reliability
If the discharge tray angle is increased to match the discharge angle, then sheets do not come into contact, but energy applied by discharging means decreases due to gravity force
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit provides partial lifting action rather than complete elevation. By lifting only the rear end of the sheet partially, it creates sufficient separation to prevent adsorption with the stacked sheets while avoiding the need to overcome the full gravity force that would be required if the entire sheet were lifted or the discharge tray angle were increased to match the discharge angle
3Reliability
If the discharge tray angle is increased, then sheets are discharged vertically, but the rear end of the sheet remains in the discharge port and collides with subsequent sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit performs a preliminary lifting action on the rear end of the discharged sheet as it exits the discharge port. This preliminary action elevates the rear end before the sheet fully clears the discharge port, preventing it from remaining trapped and colliding with subsequent sheets, thereby ensuring complete discharge without paper jam
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
Prevents paper jams by minimizing sheet contact and energy loss, allowing for efficient discharge of sheets without collisions, thus ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
even if a discharge angle is matched with the angle of the discharge tray so that the discharged sheet does not come into contact with the stacked sheets, it is necessary to eject the sheet against a gravity force
Implementation Method 2
those sheets adsorb each other due to a frictional force and static electricity between the sheets
Implementation Method 3
those sheets adsorb each other due to a frictional force and static electricity between the sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge tray for loading thereon sheets to be discharged at a predetermined discharge angle by a discharge roller pair is provided. The discharge tray includes a loading surface provided at a predetermined first inclination angle with respect to a discharge direction of a sheet by the discharge roller pair so that a top of the sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair comes into contact with the loading surface, and a guide unit provided on the loading surface at a second inclination angle with respect to the loading surface so as to partially lift up the loaded sheet from the loading surface.