Paper Feeding Apparatus Using Electrostatic Pickup to Reduce Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Noise generation during paper feeding in image forming apparatuses due to friction between sheets of paper and mechanical components, as well as shock noise from the transfer guide, is a persistent issue that existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A paper feeding apparatus featuring a pickup unit and a lifting unit with a charged roller and suction inlets to minimize friction and a transfer unit with idle rollers to reduce noise from the transfer guide, employing a combination of electrostatic lifting and vacuum suction to handle the paper without direct contact, thereby minimizing drag and shock noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pickup roller is used to pick up paper, then paper can be reliably picked up and fed, but friction noise is generated between the paper and mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pickup roller system with an electrostatic field-based pickup system. The pickup unit generates an electrostatic field to hold and transport paper without mechanical contact, eliminating friction noise between the paper and pickup mechanism while maintaining reliable paper handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrostatic field as an intermediary between the pickup mechanism and the paper. This field acts as a non-contact mediator that transfers the paper without direct mechanical contact, thereby eliminating friction noise while maintaining pickup reliability
2Ease of operation
If a transfer guide with curved surface is used to guide paper, then paper can be guided through the transfer path, but shock noise is generated when paper unrolls rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transfer guide with a magnetic field-based guidance system. The guide unit generates a magnetic field to guide and control paper movement without physical contact, eliminating shock noise from rapid unrolling while maintaining effective paper guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the guidance mechanism and the paper. This field serves as a non-contact mediator that guides paper through the transfer path without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating shock noise while maintaining guidance functionality
3Object-generated harmful factors
If suction inlets are used to lift paper, then paper can be lifted without contact, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lifting unit with suction inlets that serve multiple functions: lifting the paper, controlling paper position, and reducing friction noise simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving contactless paper handling
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 reduces noise caused by friction and shock between paper sheets and the transfer guide, enhancing the operational quietness of image forming apparatuses by using electrostatic and vacuum-based mechanisms to handle paper without direct contact and friction.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting unit arranged at another end of the paper cassette to lift the uppermost printable medium when the pickup unit picks up the uppermost printable medium
Implementation Method 2
a pickup unit, arranged at one end of a paper cassette relative, to pick up the uppermost printable medium of a plurality of printable media loaded in the paper cassette
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feeding apparatus capable of preventing noises generated when picking up and transferring paper, and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper feeding apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pickup unit, which is disposed upstream of a paper cassette relative to the direction in which the uppermost sheet of paper loaded in the paper cassette moves, to pick up the uppermost sheet of paper, and a lifting unit which lifts the sheet of paper vertically to reduce friction between the paper and the paper beneath it when the pickup unit picks up the sheets of paper.