Paper Feeder Roller Orientation via Asymmetric Keyways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording devices face issues with paper feed rollers being incorrectly oriented, leading to varying coefficients of friction and resulting in oblique feeding and paper jamming, as existing solutions lack a simple and effective method to ensure correct orientation.
Innovation Solution
A feeder system with a swingable arm, rotatable support shafts, and a regulating unit that ensures uniform orientation of paper feed rollers, preventing incorrect attachment and maintaining consistent friction coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If paper feed rollers are made with knurled friction surfaces to increase friction coefficient, then feeding force is improved, but the rollers must be attached to support shafts with precise orientation control to maintain uniform friction coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The support shafts are designed with asymmetric keyway structures that prevent incorrect orientation of the paper feed rollers. The keyways are positioned at specific asymmetric locations on the support shafts, allowing the knurled friction surfaces of the rollers to be oriented uniformly only in the correct position, thereby eliminating the need for complex orientation control mechanisms while maintaining consistent feeding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric keyway structure on the support shafts automatically guides the paper feed rollers into the correct orientation during installation. The physical geometry of the keyways and keys creates a self-aligning mechanism that ensures uniform friction coefficients without requiring external control systems or complex assembly procedures.
2Device complexity
If paper feed rollers are attached without orientation regulation, then device complexity is reduced, but incorrect orientation causes varying friction coefficients leading to oblique feeding and paper jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric keyway structures on the support shafts provide a simple yet effective solution that maintains feeding reliability. By positioning the keyways at specific asymmetric locations, the design ensures that only correctly oriented rollers can be installed, preventing variations in friction coefficients that would cause oblique feeding or jamming, all while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If asymmetric keyway structures are added to support shafts to regulate roller orientation, then feeding uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric keyway structures, while providing precise orientation control, are designed as simple geometric features that can be incorporated into the support shafts using conventional machining processes. The keyways are positioned at specific angles and locations that achieve the desired orientation precision without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing procedures, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring accurate roller alignment.
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 oblique feeding and paper jamming by ensuring consistent feeding force across the width of the paper, ensuring reliable and efficient feeding of sheets in image recording devices.
Implementation Method 1
the coefficients of friction of the right and left rotary feeding members with respect to the surface of the object to be conveyed become the same
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder for an object to be conveyed has an arm having a base end and a distal end and swingable about the base end; a pair of support shafts rotatably provided on both sides of the distal end of the arm; a pair of rotary feeding members for feeding the objects to be conveyed piled in a holder while abutting on the objects to be conveyed, the pair of rotary feeding members being fitted on outer surfaces of the pair of support shafts, respectively; and a regulating unit for regulating orientations of the pair of rotary feeding members uniformly with respect to a direction in which the pair of rotary feeding members rotate, the regulating unit being provided in interfaces between the support shafts and the rotary feeding members.