Dual Roller Paper Feed Unit Cleaning for Continuous Operation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses experience a decrease in operation rate due to the need to stop production when a removing member is inserted into the conveying unit for cleaning, leading to inefficiencies in paper feeding.

Innovation Solution

A used paper supply device with dual paper feed units and cleaning units that allow for continuous operation by switching between units during paper feeding, with cleaning performed at predetermined intervals or based on paper quantity/weight, and utilizing prediction means to anticipate cleaning needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removing member is inserted into the conveying unit to clean the conveying unit, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the operation rate deteriorates because sheet manufacturing must be stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidoperation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The paper feed device is divided into multiple independent paper feed units (first paper feed unit and second paper feed unit), each with its own roller and cleaning unit. This segmentation allows one unit to be cleaned while the other continues to feed sheets, eliminating the need to stop the entire sheet manufacturing process for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous sheet feeding operation by switching between multiple paper feed units. When one unit undergoes cleaning, the other unit continues to supply sheets to the conveying unit, ensuring uninterrupted production and maintaining high operation rate throughout the cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If the roller is cleaned frequently to prevent paper feeding errors, then paper feeding reliability is improved, but the operation rate deteriorates due to increased cleaning interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper feeding reliabilityVSAvoidoperation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The paper feed device is divided into multiple independent paper feed units (first paper feed unit and second paper feed unit), each with its own roller and cleaning unit. This segmentation allows one unit to be cleaned while the other continues to feed sheets, eliminating the need to stop the entire sheet manufacturing process for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning operation is performed periodically on one paper feed unit while the other unit operates, then they switch roles. This periodic cleaning approach ensures that both rollers are maintained at appropriate cleanliness levels to prevent paper feeding errors, while the overall system maintains continuous operation through unit switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11305954B2Used paper supply device and sheet manufacturing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A used paper supply device includes a first paper feed unit and a second paper feed unit for feeding used paper and cleaning unit for cleaning a surface of a roller of the paper feed units, in which when the used paper is fed from the first paper feed unit, the surface of the roller of the second paper feed unit is cleaned.