Resilient Tine Stacker Wheel Detent Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media items can collide with the end of a tine in existing stacker units, causing them to crumple and jam, and existing solutions require accurate measurement and speed control of stacker wheels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating resilient arcuate tines with a detent mechanism that temporarily retards and then accelerates the capture ends, reducing the time they block the media transport path and minimizing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stacker wheel rotates continuously at constant speed, then the media transport is efficient, but media items may collide with capture ends causing crumpling and jams
Solution Approach 1:
The capture ends are made resilient rather than rigid, allowing them to flex and deform under impact forces. This dynamic response absorbs collision energy and prevents media item damage while maintaining continuous wheel rotation for efficient transport
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient material provides inherent cushioning before collisions occur. The capture ends are pre-configured with elastic properties that automatically absorb impact energy when media items contact them, preventing crumpling without requiring active control systems
2Reliability
If monitoring and speed control systems are added to prevent collisions, then media item integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient capture ends provide self-protection against collision damage without requiring external monitoring or control systems. Each capture end independently absorbs impact forces through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for complex sensor and actuator systems
3Stability of the object's composition
If the capture ends block the media transport path for longer periods, then media items are securely held, but collision risk with incoming media increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capture ends maintain a blocking position for secure holding but dynamically respond to collision forces by flexing and deforming. This allows them to provide stable holding when needed while safely absorbing impact energy when collisions occur, reducing the harmful effects without requiring faster rotation
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
This solution reduces the likelihood of media item collisions without requiring precise measurement or speed control of the stacker wheels, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the media stacking process.
Implementation Method 1
each tine further comprising a resilient tine portion
Data Source
AI summary
A media stacker unit comprises: (i) at least one stacker wheel and (ii) a detent. The stacker wheel includes: a hub for mounting on an axle, and a plurality of arcuate tines, each tine being coupled to the hub at a hub end and extending transverse to the axle to a point radially spaced from the axle at a capture end. When the stacker wheel is rotated about the axle, the capture ends traverse a capture circumference. Each tine further comprises a resilient tine portion. The detent partially extends within the capture circumference for engaging with and temporarily retarding a capture end as the stacker wheel is rotated. This reduces the time during which that capture end blocks a media transport path, thereby reducing the possibility of a media item colliding with a capture end and jamming the media stacker unit.