Medium Feeding Device Dynamic Airflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium feeding devices face sheet feeding failures due to constant parameters, leading to inefficient operation and increased errors in floating and sucking media.

Innovation Solution

A medium feeding device with a controller that performs pre-feeding and during-feeding blowing operations, using a detector to adjust airflow parameters such as rate, direction, and area to ensure optimal separation and feeding of media, dynamically changing parameters based on detection results to maintain a target range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If constant parameters are used for floating and sucking media, then the device structure is simple, but sheet feeding failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet feeding success rateVSAvoidparameter adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant parameters to dynamically adjustable parameters. The controller modifies airflow rate, blowing time, and other parameters in real-time during the floating and sucking process, allowing the system to adapt to different media conditions and reduce feeding failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent directly implements parameter changes by varying airflow rate, blowing time, and suction pressure during the feeding process. The controller adjusts these parameters based on detection results and process stage, optimizing the floating and sucking operations to prevent sheet feeding failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If detection and parameter adjustment is performed during feeding, then feeding efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding efficiencyVSAvoiddetection and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using detectors to monitor the floating and sucking process, then feeding this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts parameters based on detection results, creating a closed-loop control system that improves feeding efficiency while managing complexity through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by automatically detecting feeding status and adjusting parameters without manual intervention. The controller autonomously modifies airflow and suction parameters based on detection data, enabling the system to self-optimize during operation and improve productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If airflow rate is increased to improve separation, then separation effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia separation qualityVSAvoidairflow energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed or intermittent airflow instead of continuous high-rate airflow. The controller activates the floating device in specific time intervals and at specific stages, achieving effective separation while reducing overall energy consumption compared to sustained high airflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying airflow only to specific areas or for specific durations needed for separation, rather than continuously high airflow throughout the entire process. This targeted approach achieves separation effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 significantly reduces sheet feeding failures by dynamically adjusting parameters during the feeding process, improving the separation and feeding efficiency of media by adapting to changing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a floating device disposed on a side of the media accommodated in the container member to blow air to an upper area of a side end surface of the media to float the media while an upper portion of the media is separated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir blowing:

Implementation Method 2

a hand-over member disposed above the container member to suck the media accommodated in the container member with air and pass the media to the discharging member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4253291B1Medium feeding device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4253291B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4253291B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4253291B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A medium feeding device includes a container member (1) that accommodates sheet media, a discharging member (2) located further than the media accommodated in the container member in a discharging direction in which the media are discharged, to discharge the media one by one, a hand-over member (3) disposed above the container member to suck the media accommodated in the container member with air and pass the media to the discharging member, a floating device (4) disposed on a side of the media accommodated in the container member to blow air to an upper area of a side end surface of the media to float the media while an upper portion of the media is separated, a detector (5) that detects a separation state of the medium floated by the floating device, and a controller (6) that controls a medium-feeding operation including a pre-feeding blowing operation (BL0) and a during-feeding blowing operation (BL1), the pre-feeding blowing operation serving as an air blowing operation performed by the floating device before the medium is fed, and the during-feeding blowing operation serving as an air blowing operation performed by the floating device from a start of feeding the medium and an end of feeding the medium. While performing the pre-feeding blowing operation or the during-feeding blowing operation, the controller performs detection with the detector, and on condition that a result of the detection fails to satisfy a preset target range, the controller changes a parameter for the medium-feeding operation including at least one of the pre-feeding blowing operation or the during-feeding blowing operation.