Pressing Member for Document Feeding Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document feeding devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing noise due to document elasticity, as the upstream end of the document can collide with the conveying guide member, leading to increased development time and cost, especially when ambient conditions vary.
Innovation Solution
A document feeding device with a pressing member extending in the document width direction within the conveying path, which minimizes the impact of the upstream document end on the conveying guide member by maintaining a space and using an elastic pressing member with a low coefficient of friction, such as PET, to absorb any potential collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a curved document conveying path is used to reduce the size of the document feeding device, then the device size is reduced, but the upstream end of the document collides with the conveying guide member due to document elasticity, causing increased noise
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the document and the conveying guide member. This pressing member applies pressure to the document during conveying, preventing the document's upstream end from colliding with the conveying guide member due to elastic recovery, thereby reducing noise while maintaining the compact curved path design
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member applies a preliminary counteracting force to the document before elastic collision can occur. By continuously pressing the document against the conveying path during movement, it prevents the elastic rebound that would otherwise cause the document to strike the conveying guide member
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a buffer plate is used to absorb the impact of the document with the conveying guide member, then noise is reduced, but the development period and cost greatly increase due to the need for a wide area buffer plate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the noise reduction function from the bulky buffer plate and concentrates it into a small, targeted pressing member. Instead of using a wide-area buffer plate to absorb all potential impacts, the pressing member is positioned specifically at the critical location where document collision occurs, providing focused noise reduction with minimal material and space
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It uses basic elastic material properties rather than complex buffer structures, significantly reducing development costs and complexity compared to wide-area buffer plate solutions
3Adaptability or versatility
If the document elasticity varies due to ambient environment changes, then the document characteristics change, but it becomes difficult to estimate the collision portion and noise level
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is positioned upstream in the conveying path to apply pressure to the document before it reaches the curved section where collision would occur. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of the document's elastic properties or environmental conditions, the document is pre-compressed and guided properly, preventing unpredictable collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member changes the physical state of the document by applying continuous pressure during conveying. This parameter change (applying force) overrides the variable elastic properties of the document, ensuring consistent behavior and predictable noise reduction across different environmental conditions and document types
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 and frictional resistance during document feeding, maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness by preventing collisions and optimizing document alignment with the conveying path.
Implementation Method 1
When a document passes through the curved document conveying path, it also curves along the document conveying path against its elasticity. Hence, when an upstream end of the document in the feeding direction (the rear end in the feeding direction) is released from the nip between the conveying rollers or passes through a portion where a surface of the conveying guide member is at a retracted position, it can collide with the surface of the conveying guide member due to its elasticity.
Data Source
AI summary
A document feeding device includes a pressing member that extends in a document conveying space from a document conveying surface of an outer conveying guide member having a counter conveying roller, of two conveying guide members provided in a first document conveying path such as to oppose front and back sides of a document, toward a document conveying surface of an inner conveying guide member. The pressing member extends in a document width direction perpendicular in a document feeding direction with its leading end extending in a conveying space from one of the conveying surfaces toward the other conveying surface. This structure prevents a large displacement of the document even when the document is released from the nip between conveying rollers or passes between the two conveying guide members provided in the document feeding direction.