Flexible Drive Train Torque Control for Paper Jam Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper handling apparatuses struggle to handle varying sizes and weights of document packs without damaging mechanisms, especially when a paper jam occurs, as they are designed to accommodate only low loads and lack stability under heavier loads.
Innovation Solution
A flexible drive train with a pawl support member extending over multiple chain links and an angled design to maintain stability, combined with an electromagnetic friction clutch that adjusts torque based on load conditions to prevent damage during jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the pawl is made fixed and not allowed to move from its upright position to handle heavier loads, then the load handling capacity is improved, but the mechanism becomes vulnerable to damage during paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The drive train is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt its stiffness characteristics. The flexible drive train can bend and deform under excessive load conditions (such as paper jams) to prevent damage, while maintaining sufficient rigidity during normal operation to handle heavier loads effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive train is divided into multiple chain links that can move relative to each other, creating a segmented flexible structure. This segmentation allows the drive train to bend and flex when encountering obstacles or jams, distributing stress across multiple links rather than concentrating it on a single rigid component.
2Reliability
If the drive train is made flexible to prevent damage during jams, then the mechanism reliability is improved, but the load handling capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the drive train by using a flexible chain link construction instead of a rigid shaft. This parameter change allows the drive train to exhibit both flexibility (for protection during jams) and sufficient strength (for handling heavy loads) depending on the operational conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pawl support member base length is extended over more than two chain links and angled to cover the chain width, then the pawl stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for the pawl, spans across multiple chain links for stability, and angles to cover the chain width for lateral constraint. This merging of functions reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure for the pawl, a stabilizing element across the chain links, and a lateral constraint through its angled design. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
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
The solution enables the handling of heavier loads and prevents mechanism damage during paper jams by maintaining the pawl's upright position and adjusting torque to manage increased inertia, ensuring reliable document transport across different sizes and weights.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible drive chain may be driven by an electromagnetic friction clutch which transmits a torque when a DC voltage is applied to it
Implementation Method 2
Preferably the torque is proportioned to the voltage applied
Implementation Method 3
the apparatus comprises means adapted to generate a predetermined torque when the transport element is not loaded and to apply a reduced torque a predetermined time after the transport element engages a document to be moved
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for transporting documents in a paper handling system, comprising: a drive train; a document transport element (1) connected to the drive train for moving documents; and means adapted to apply a relatively high voltage element to generate a high torque when the transport element (1) is not loaded and to reduce the voltage and thus the torque a predetermined time after the transport element (1) engages a document to be moved.