Paper Sheet Pickup Device Valve Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper sheet pickup devices face challenges in achieving high-speed paper sheet feeding due to slow response times of solenoid valves and difficulty in quickly eliminating negative pressure, which leads to issues with simultaneous pickup of multiple sheets and limited ability to handle heavy or large paper sheets.

Innovation Solution

A paper sheet pickup device incorporating a valve unit with a shielding plate that allows for rapid on-off control of negative pressure, using a filter unit to manage air flow and pressure, and a pump to ensure efficient air circulation, enabling quick pressure changes and accurate control of paper sheet spacing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional solenoid valve is used to control negative pressure for paper sheet pickup, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the response time is slow and high-speed feeding cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper sheet feeding speedVSAvoidresponse time of solenoid valve
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid valve is segmented into two independent valves: a first solenoid valve for quickly opening the air passage to eliminate negative pressure, and a second solenoid valve for controlling the suction force application. This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized for its specific function, with the first valve dedicated to rapid response for high-speed feeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first solenoid valve is activated in advance to open the air passage and eliminate negative pressure before the paper sheet pickup operation. This preliminary action ensures that when the second solenoid valve activates for pickup, the negative pressure can be instantly applied without delay from pressure buildup, enabling high-speed response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the solenoid valve is closed to stop suction, then negative pressure is eliminated, but the negative pressure cannot be quickly eliminated where the paper sheet is held by the belt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenegative pressure elimination speedVSAvoidduration of negative pressure effect
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air passage control is segmented into two independent solenoid valves with distinct functions. The first solenoid valve specifically controls the air passage for negative pressure elimination, while the second controls suction application. This allows the first valve to rapidly eliminate negative pressure by opening a dedicated air passage, preventing the prolonged negative pressure effect that occurs with a single valve system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first solenoid valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides a rapid air passage opening function. When activated, it immediately opens the air passage to atmospheric pressure, serving as a mediator that quickly neutralizes the negative pressure effect on held paper sheets, enabling faster response than the conventional single valve approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the diameter of tubes is increased to increase the amount of introduced air, then more air can flow, but the plunger diameter must be increased and inertia increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of air flowVSAvoidplunger inertia
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow control is segmented into two independent valve systems. The first solenoid valve handles the air passage for negative pressure elimination with potentially larger diameter tubes for high air flow quantity. The second solenoid valve handles suction control with smaller diameter tubes. This segmentation allows the first valve to have larger tubes for maximum air flow without requiring a proportionally larger plunger, as the two valves operate independently with optimized tube sizes for their respective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If much time is required for air to flow into the chamber after coil energization, then the solenoid valve opens, but the response is slow until air circulates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolenoid valve response speedVSAvoidair circulation time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure control function is segmented into two independent valves. The first solenoid valve is dedicated to rapid air passage opening for negative pressure elimination, with its chamber directly connected to atmospheric pressure through a large diameter tube, eliminating the need for gradual air circulation. The second valve handles suction control. This segmentation allows the first valve to achieve immediate response when energized, as the air passage opens directly without delayed circulation requirements.

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 enables high-speed paper sheet pickup with precise control over sheet spacing and handling of varying paper sizes and weights, preventing simultaneous pickup and ensuring efficient processing.

Implementation Method 1

a negative pressure chamber (5) which is provided inside the pickup belt (4) and in which air is drawn by a pump (13) to generate negative pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a valve unit (24) which is provided across the suction tube (22) and controls on-off of a fluid passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2243733B1Paper sheet pickup device
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2243733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2243733B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2243733B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A paper sheet pickup device (1) includes a pickup belt (4) configured to run along one of accumulated paper sheets (P), which is positioned at the most downstream side with respect to a direction of accumulation, and a negative pressure chamber (5) provided inside the pickup belt (4). The negative pressure chamber (5) is connected to a pump (13), and a valve unit (52) is interposed therebetween. Further, an air inlet tube (54) is connected to the negative pressure chamber (5) for supplying air therein.