Sheet Feeding Airflow Restriction for Low-Stack Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices face issues with sheet separation when the number of sheets is low, leading to potential lifting of the entire sheet bundle and failure to separate the uppermost sheet due to air flow between the lowest sheet and the tray, resulting in duplicate feeding.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a rotatable portion that includes a restricting portion to prevent air from being blown onto the sheet supporting surface, featuring a rotating portion that can move between closed and open positions to maintain effective separation even with fewer sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If loosening air is blown to the sheet bundle when the number of sheets is low, then the sheet bundle can be loosened and the uppermost sheet can be fed, but air flows in between the lowest sheet and the sheet tray causing the whole bundle to be lifted and pushed up, resulting in failure to separate the uppermost sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable portion acts as an intermediary component between the blowing portion and the sheet tray. When rotated to the first position, it forms a space that blocks air from directly entering between the lowest sheet and the tray, thereby preventing the harmful effect of lifting the entire sheet bundle while still allowing the loosening air to effectively separate and feed the uppermost sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable portion is designed to be rotatable between two positions: a first position that forms a space to block air flow under the sheet bundle, and a second position that opens the space to allow air flow. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different sheet quantities and prevent the lifting problem that occurs when the number of sheets is low.
2Productivity
If a rotating board is provided to open and close by rotation when the number of sheets is low, then the sheet tray space can be opened to allow air flow, but this structure increases the complexity of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable portion serves multiple functions: it acts as an air flow controller to prevent lifting of the sheet bundle, forms a space to block air from entering under the sheets, and can be rotated to adjust the air flow path. By combining these functions into a single component, the device complexity is minimized while achieving adaptability to different sheet quantities.
3Ease of operation
If the rotatable portion is positioned in the second position allowing air to flow freely, then the sheet tray space is opened for air flow, but air is blown to the sheet supporting surface causing the entire sheet bundle to lift
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable portion is segmented with a restricting portion that divides the air flow path. When in the first position, the restricting portion blocks the direct path of air to the sheet supporting surface, preventing the harmful lifting effect. The air flow is segmented into a path that loosens the upper sheets without lifting the entire bundle.
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
Enhances sheet separation ability by preventing air from entering between the undermost sheet and the tray, reducing duplicate feeding and ensuring reliable sheet feeding even with fewer sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing portion provided on one side in a sheet widthwise direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction and configured to blow air through a blowing opening toward a side edge of the sheet bundle supported by the sheet supporting surface
Implementation Method 2
when the rotatable portion is positioned in the second position, the rotatable portion includes a restricting portion configured to restrict the air from being blown to the sheet supporting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes a sheet tray, a feeder to feed the uppermost sheet of a sheet bundle supported by a supporting surface of the sheet tray; a blowing portion provided on one side in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a feeding direction and to blow air through a blowing opening toward a side edge of the sheet bundle supported by the supporting surface; and a rotatable portion. The rotatable portion is rotatably provided opposite to the blowing opening in the widthwise direction and to the sheet tray, and is rotatable between a first position along the supporting surface and a second position rotated upward from the supporting surface by the air being blown by the blowing portion. When the rotatable portion is positioned in the second position, the rotatable portion includes a restricting portion to restrict the air from being blown to the supporting surface.