Image Recording Sheet Feeder with Pivoting Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses face issues with multi-feeding of thin sheet media and idle feeding of thick sheet media due to insufficient separation resistance adjustment by the separation piece, leading to inefficiencies in sheet feeding.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pivotally adjustable separation piece that changes posture based on sheet thickness, providing varying separation resistance to prevent both multi-feeding of thin sheets and idle feeding of thick sheets by adjusting its angle to match the rigidity of the sheet media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separation piece is pivoted to a vertical posture to increase separation resistance, then multi-feeding of thin sheet media is prevented, but idle feeding occurs with thick sheet media
Solution Approach 1:
The separation piece is designed to dynamically change its posture angle based on the rigidity of the sheet media. The pivotal connection allows the separation piece to automatically adjust its angle: becoming more vertical for thin sheets to increase separation resistance, and more horizontal for thick sheets to reduce separation resistance. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between preventing multi-feeding and preventing idle feeding across different sheet thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the posture angle parameter of the separation piece according to the rigidity characteristics of different sheet media. By allowing the posture angle to vary rather than remain fixed, the system can optimize separation resistance for each type of sheet media, thereby preventing both multi-feeding of thin sheets and idle feeding of thick sheets.
2Device complexity
If a fixed posture separation piece is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to both thin and thick sheet media
Solution Approach 1:
The separation piece transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic pivotal structure that can automatically adjust its posture. This dynamic design maintains relative structural simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to different sheet media thicknesses and rigidities, allowing the same structure to serve multiple functions.
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 effectively prevents both multi-feeding of thin sheets and idle feeding of thick sheets by dynamically adjusting the separation resistance of the separation piece, ensuring stable and reliable sheet feeding.
Implementation Method 1
a separation piece for separating the sheet media one by one is provided on a deep side of the accommodating portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a housing in which a conveying path is formed, a feed tray insertable into and removable from the housing and including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate sheet media in a stacked state, an image recording unit configured to record an image on one of the sheet media in the conveying path, a guide member provided at a facing portion of the housing which faces an end portion of the feed tray inserted into the housing, and configured to guide one of the sheet media in the accommodating portion to the conveying path, and a separator pivotally provided at the facing portion of the housing and configured to separate the sheet media guided by the guide member one by one.