Sheet Conveyance Device Impact Reducing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet conveyance devices are prone to damage and feeding failures due to the impact from forcefully inserted document sheets, which can lead to the abutted portion being chipped or caught, inhibiting the lowering of the feeding unit.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an impact reducing mechanism that disperses the force applied by the stopper to the abutted portion, using a second abutting and abutted portion to reduce the impact, preventing damage and ensuring smooth operation of the feeding unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the abutted portion is made as a thin plate rib structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and damage resistance of the abutted portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The abutted portion is segmented into multiple ribs (first rib and second rib) that work together to distribute and absorb impact forces. The stopper is also segmented with multiple abutting portions (first abutting portion and second abutting portion) that contact different ribs separately, dividing the impact into multiple smaller interactions rather than one concentrated point of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second rib is positioned to contact the stopper before the first rib, creating a cushioning effect. When impact occurs, the second rib absorbs initial shock and the first rib provides additional support, ensuring that neither rib alone bears the full brunt of the impact force, thereby preventing damage beforehand.
2Weight of moving object
If the abutted portion is made thin and light, then the weight and device complexity are reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to easy damage from impact
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorption function is segmented across multiple components (first rib, second rib, first abutting portion, second abutting portion) rather than relying on a single thick structure. This allows each component to remain thin and light while collectively providing robust impact resistance, maintaining reliability without excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The second rib acts as a cushioning element that engages before the primary first rib during impact events. This beforehand cushioning protects the critical first rib from damage while keeping all components thin and lightweight, ensuring feeding reliability is maintained without adding significant weight.
3Device complexity
If a single abutted portion is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to concentrated impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The single abutted portion is segmented into multiple ribs (first and second ribs) with corresponding multiple abutting portions on the stopper. This segmentation distributes the impact load across multiple contact points, preventing concentrated damage that would occur with a single abutted portion, thereby improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second rib provides beforehand cushioning by contacting the stopper's second abutting portion before the first rib contacts the first abutting portion during impact. This sequential engagement distributes the impact over time and space, preventing concentrated damage and improving feeding reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A sheet conveyance device (1) includes a feed tray (20), a feeding unit (50), a stopper (30), a first abutted portion (41), and an impact reducing mechanism (10). Sheets are loaded on the feed tray (20). The feeding unit (50) feeds the sheets. The stopper (30) is rotatably supported on the feeding unit (50) and rotates when pressed by the sheets inserted into the feed tray (20). The stopper (30) comes into contact with the first abutted portion (41) in association with the rotation of the stopper (30). The impact reducing mechanism (10) reduces impact applied to the first abutted portion (41) by the stopper (30).