Paper Feed Apparatus Lifting Member for Sheet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper feed apparatuses face challenges in separating sheets due to curling leading edges, high sheet stiffness, and special sheet types, leading to hindered separation and potential jamming, especially when separating air cannot easily enter between sheets.
Innovation Solution
A paper feed apparatus with a sheet tray, a sheet attractor, a leading edge fan for separation air, a conveyor for separated sheets, and a detachable lifting member to support the tail side of sheets, ensuring effective separation by controlling air flow and sheet alignment to prevent jamming across various sheet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separating air is supplied between sheets to separate uppermost sheet from lower sheets, then sheet separation is facilitated, but separation air cannot easily enter between sheets when leading edges are curled upward or sheets have high stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting member is positioned in advance to lift the tail end of sheets before the separation air is supplied. This preliminary lifting action creates a gap between sheets at the tail end, allowing separation air to easily enter and flow between sheets effectively, resolving the problem of air flow entry difficulty with curled or stiff sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting member selectively acts on the tail end of sheets rather than uniformly across the entire sheet. By applying localized lifting force at the tail end, the invention creates a specific gap region where separation air can enter, while leaving the leading edge condition unchanged, thus solving the air flow entry problem without affecting other sheet characteristics
2Reliability
If sheets are lifted to facilitate separation, then uppermost sheet separation is improved, but separation air flows between lower sheets instead of between uppermost and lower sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting member performs preliminary lifting of the tail end of sheets before separation air is supplied. This creates a controlled gap at the tail end specifically between the uppermost sheet and lower sheets, guiding the separation air to flow in the correct direction (between uppermost and lower sheets) rather than allowing air to flow between lower sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting member acts as an intermediary device that creates a physical gap between sheets. This gap serves as a mediator that directs the separation air flow to the intended path (between uppermost and lower sheets at the tail end), preventing air from flowing between lower sheets and ensuring effective separation
3Ease of operation
If a fixed sheet support structure is used, then sheet alignment is simplified, but adaptability to different sheet types (curled, stiff, special sheets) is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting member is designed as a movable component that can be adjusted to different positions and heights. This dynamic capability allows the lifting member to adapt to various sheet types (curled sheets, stiff sheets, special sheets) by adjusting its position and lifting amount, while maintaining simple sheet alignment operation through the consistent tail-end lifting mechanism
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 reliable separation of sheets even with curled or stiff sheets and special types, preventing overlap feeding jams by ensuring separation air effectively enters between sheets, facilitating continuous and accurate sheet feeding.
Implementation Method 1
a leading edge fan which is located in a leading edge side of the sheets and blows separation air against leading edges of the sheets to separate an uppermost sheet of the sheets closest to the sheet attractor from lower sheets located below the uppermost sheet
Implementation Method 2
a sheet attractor which is located above the sheet tray and attracts sheets one by one from the above
Implementation Method 3
a lifting member which is detachably provided on the sheet tray to support a tail side of a back of the sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feed apparatus includes: a sheet tray on which sheets are stacked; a sheet attractor which is located above the sheet tray and attracts sheets one by one from the above; a leading edge fan which is located in a leading edge side of the sheets and blows separation air against leading edges of the sheets to separate an uppermost sheet of the sheets closest to the sheet attractor from lower sheets located below the uppermost sheet; a sheet conveyor which is located in a downstream side of the sheet attractor along a conveying direction of the sheets to convey the uppermost sheet which is attracted by the sheet attractor and separated from the lower sheets by the leading edge fan; and a lifting member which is detachably provided on the sheet tray to support a tail side of a back of the sheets.