Envelope Sheet Feed Device with Differential Ventilation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feed devices face challenges in stably feeding envelopes, which are not regular flat sheets due to their folded and bonded structure, leading to issues with sheet alignment and air ventilation control.

Innovation Solution

A sheet feed device with a ventilation system that adjusts air volume and direction to float the topmost side of envelopes more than other sheets, using multiple ventilation ports and a control section to ensure stable feeding by determining the envelope feeding mode based on settings and sensor data, and adjusting air flow to maintain the envelope's top surface horizontally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air is blown to float sheets using conventional ventilation methods, then flat sheets can be fed stably, but envelopes with folded and bonded structures cannot be fed stably due to improper air distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet feed stabilityVSAvoidability to handle envelope types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is divided into multiple ventilation ports (first ventilation port and second ventilation port) positioned at different locations. Each port independently controls air flow to specific regions of the envelope, allowing differentiated air distribution that adapts to the envelope's folded and bonded structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different air volumes are blown from different ventilation ports based on the local structural characteristics of the envelope. The first ventilation port blows air to float the first side (lower side) more greatly, while the second ventilation port blows air to float the second side (opposed side), creating localized air pressure distribution that matches the envelope's geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If uniform air volume is blown to all sides of loaded sheets, then simple sheet handling is maintained, but envelopes with varying heights and folded structures cannot be properly aligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation control simplicityVSAvoidenvelope alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system dynamically adjusts air volume distribution based on the loaded object type. The control section determines whether envelopes or flat sheets are loaded and automatically adjusts the air volume ratio between first and second ventilation ports, transitioning from uniform ventilation for flat sheets to differential ventilation for envelopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air volume parameter is changed based on the loaded object type. When envelopes are detected, the control section increases the air volume ratio from the first ventilation port compared to the second ventilation port, optimizing the floating effect for the envelope's specific geometry with folded and bonded portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the topmost side of envelopes is not properly floated, then envelope feeding fails, but excessive air blowing causes instability and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvelope feed reliabilityVSAvoidenvelope horizontal alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control section monitors the floating state of the envelope and adjusts air volume distribution accordingly. By detecting which side (first side or second side) is lower, the system provides feedback to the ventilation ports to adjust air blowing intensity, ensuring the topmost side achieves proper horizontal alignment without excessive air causing instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures stable and smooth feeding of envelopes by maintaining the topmost surface horizontally, preventing sheet feed errors and ensuring consistent supply, even with varying envelope types and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a ventilation section having a first ventilation port for blowing air to float a first side of a sheet of one sheet of the sheets loaded on the loading platen, and a second ventilation port for blowing air to float a second side opposed to the first side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8544838B2Sheet feed device feeding paper and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A sheet feed device feeding paper including; a loading platen loaded with sheets; a ventilation section providing a first ventilation port for blowing air to float a first side of a sheet of one sheet of the sheets loaded on the loading platen, and a second ventilation port for blowing air to float a second side opposed to the first side; and a control section for controlling the ventilation section; wherein the first side is a side of a topmost of loaded envelopes, the side of which height is lower than other sides, and when envelopes are to be fed, the control section controls the ventilation section to change air volume of the first ventilation port and the second ventilation port so as to float the first side more greatly than in case when sheets other than envelopes are fed.