Movable Stacking Member for Sheet Separation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding apparatuses with separation units at the sheet stacking board often cause feeding errors due to the sheet bundle being caught by the separation unit, leading to improper stacking and potential overlap feeding.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a moving device that positions the stacking member between contact and non-contact states with the feeding member, featuring a slope portion guiding sheets toward a separation unit positioned downstream, preventing overlap feeding by ensuring the lowermost sheet contacts the separation unit reliably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separation unit is disposed at the sheet stacking board to prevent overlap feeding, then sheet separation reliability is improved, but the sheet bundle is caught on the separation unit causing feeding errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stacking board is designed to be movable between a first position (for sheet stacking) and a second position (for sheet feeding). This dynamic repositioning allows the separation unit to be effective during feeding while eliminating interference during stacking, as the board moves away from the feeding path when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the sheet feeding system by moving the stacking board up and down between positions. The slope portion guides sheets upward onto the stacking board, and the board itself moves vertically to engage or disengage from the feeding path, solving the contradiction by utilizing spatial dimensionality.
2Quantity of substance
If the stacking board is positioned to allow sheet stacking, then stacking capacity is improved, but the feeding member cannot contact the sheets for feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking board moves vertically between a first position where sheets can be stacked in sufficient quantity and a second position where the feeding member can contact the sheets for feeding. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between stacking capacity and feeding accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable stacking board acts as an intermediary between the sheet storage space and the feeding mechanism. It can be positioned to either receive and store sheets or to present sheets to the feeding member, mediating between the conflicting requirements of stacking capacity and feeding operation.
3Reliability
If the separation unit is positioned to face the feeding member, then sheet separation is improved, but sheets are caught on the separation unit during stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking board with the separation unit moves dynamically between positions. During feeding, the board is in the second position where the separation unit faces the feeding member for reliable sheet separation. During stacking, the board moves to the first position where the separation unit is away from the sheet bundle path, preventing catching while maintaining separation capability when needed.
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 ensures accurate sheet feeding by preventing overlap feeding and allowing the sheet bundle to be stacked at the desired position, reducing feeding errors and maintaining uniform sheet height.
Implementation Method 1
the moving device includes a slope portion having a slope along which the sheets are guided toward the separation unit
Implementation Method 2
a frictional force that is exerted by bringing the lowermost sheet of a sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking board into contact with the friction plate prevents simultaneous feeding (overlap feeding) of a plurality of sheets by the feeding member
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking member having a separation unit and an opening portion disposed upstream from the separation unit, a feeding member, and a moving device that includes a slope portion having a slope along which sheets are guided toward the separation unit. The moving device moves the stacking member between a first position where the feeding member and sheets stacked on the stacking member are in contact with each other, and a second position where the feeding member and the sheets are not in contact with each other. When the stacking member is at the first position, the slope portion is disposed at a position lower than the separation unit in a vertical direction. When the stacking member is at the second position, the slope portion is disposed to protrude via the opening portion to be higher than a stacking surface of the stacking member.