Paper Sheet Separation Device with Obstruction Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printers face issues with multiple paper sheets being fed simultaneously due to varying friction forces, leading to downtime and feeding failures caused by moisture and static electricity, as well as reduced friction forces between dry paper and pick-up rollers.

Innovation Solution

A device with a deforming mechanism that arches the middle part of the paper sheets, allowing only one sheet to pass through by using an obstruction element with blocking portions and a pick-up roller driven by a deforming mechanism, ensuring single-sheet feeding and increased friction force through an elastic element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If friction forces between pick-up roller and printing paper sheets are used for separation, then paper sheets can be fed one by one, but when attraction occurs due to moisture or static electricity, multiple paper sheets may be fed at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-sheet feeding reliabilityVSAvoidattraction between paper sheets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an obstruction element with a middle access portion that converts the harmful attraction force into a beneficial separation mechanism. When multiple paper sheets are attracted together, the middle access portion allows only one sheet to pass through at a time, transforming the multiple-sheet attraction problem into a controlled single-sheet feeding solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The obstruction element acts as an intermediary component between the pick-up roller and the paper sheets. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled passage that ensures only one paper sheet can be fed at a time, regardless of the attraction forces between sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If friction force between dry paper and pick-up rollers is used, then paper sheets can be separated, but friction force may be reduced resulting in feeding failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding reliabilityVSAvoidfriction force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of reduced friction force into a benefit by using the obstruction element to provide mechanical separation. Instead of relying solely on friction, the obstruction element's middle access portion provides a physical barrier that ensures reliable single-sheet feeding even when friction is insufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional separation devices use friction forces between pick-up roller and printing paper sheets, then two or more paper sheets can be prevented from entering at a time, but multiple sheets may still be fed when attraction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of paper sheets fedVSAvoidsingle-sheet feeding control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the failure of conventional friction-based separation by introducing the obstruction element with middle access portion. This component converts the uncontrolled multiple-sheet feeding caused by attraction into a controlled single-sheet feeding process, allowing the system to handle attracted sheets reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The obstruction element segments the paper sheet stack by providing a middle access portion that physically separates and controls the passage of individual sheets. This segmentation ensures that even when sheets are attracted together, only one can pass through the controlled access portion at a time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 that only one paper sheet is fed to the printer at a time, reducing downtime and feeding failures by minimizing attraction and enhancing friction force, thus improving printing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the friction force generated between a paper which is dry and pick-up rollers and friction plates may be reduced, which may result in a failure of feeding during the rotation of the pick-up roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11524853B2Device for separating printing paper sheets and printer

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 XIAMEN HANIN CO LTD

AI summary

A device for separating printing paper sheets comprises a base part and an obstruction element. The base part defines a printing paper accommodating cavity. A deforming mechanism is provided to make sure a middle part of the printing paper sheets can be arched and two edges can get close to the bottom of the printing paper accommodating cavity. The obstruction element is arranged with a middle access portion in cooperation with the deforming mechanism, and on two sides of the middle access portion is arranged with blocking portions through which only one printing paper sheet can pass at a time. The device for separating printing paper sheets makes more than one printing paper sheet that may be transmitted at a time during the transmission of the printing paper sheets. A printer achieves smooth transmission of printing paper sheets and alleviates problems such as downtime and failure of the printer.