Sheet Conveying Device Noise Attenuator via Helmholtz Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience undesired slide noise due to sheets sliding over components within the sheet conveying device, which degrades the environmental noise quality.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a primary sheet guide featuring a bending portion and a secondary sheet guide, along with a noise attenuator that includes a resonant cavity, sound inlet, and sound guide to effectively attenuate slide noise through Helmholtz resonance, reducing noise levels by targeting specific frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sheet conveying device conveys sheets through a bending portion, then the sheet conveyance direction is changed, but slide noise is generated that degrades environmental noise quality
Solution Approach 1:
The noise attenuator extracts the harmful slide noise from the sheet conveying path by providing a separate noise intake path that is spatially separated from the main sheet conveyance path. The bending portion continues to perform its function of changing sheet direction while the noise attenuator independently captures and attenuates the generated noise through its own intake path and resonant cavity system.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise attenuator acts as an intermediary element between the sheet conveying device and the surrounding environment. It intercepts slide noise through the noise intake path before the noise can propagate outward, using the resonant cavity to attenuate the noise energy, thereby mediating between the necessary mechanical operation and the requirement for quiet environmental conditions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a noise attenuator with resonant cavity is added to reduce slide noise, then environmental noise quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise attenuator is merged with the existing sheet conveying device structure. The resonant cavity and noise intake path are integrated into the overall device architecture, sharing space and structural elements with the sheet conveyance system. This merging approach allows noise attenuation functionality to be added without requiring a completely separate system, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the resonant cavity is placed close to the bending portion for effective noise attenuation, then noise reduction efficiency is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The noise intake path extends in a direction that is spatially separated from the main sheet conveyance path, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The resonant cavity is positioned at a location that can be accessed through this extended intake path, allowing effective noise attenuation without requiring the cavity to be directly adjacent to the bending portion in the conventional sheet conveyance plane. This dimensional approach optimizes space utilization.
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 noise attenuator significantly reduces slide noise generated by the bending portion, enhancing the environmental noise quality by effectively capturing and dissipating noise before it can diffuse and reduce the noise levels, even when space constraints limit direct placement of the resonant cavity.
Implementation Method 1
A noise attenuator intakes and attenuates slide noise generated by the bending portion while the sheet slides over the bending portion. The noise attenuator includes at least one resonant cavity disposed opposite an outer face of one of the primary sheet guide and the secondary sheet guide, at least one sound inlet, disposed in proximity to the bending portion, to intake the slide noise generated by the bending portion, and at least one sound guide communicating with the sound inlet and the resonant cavity to guide the slide noise from the sound inlet to the resonant cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a primary sheet guide including a bending portion to bend a sheet while the sheet slides over the bending portion to change a sheet conveyance direction and a secondary sheet guide disposed opposite the primary sheet guide with an interval between the primary sheet guide and the secondary sheet guide. A noise attenuator intakes and attenuates slide noise generated by the bending portion while the sheet slides over the bending portion. The noise attenuator includes a resonant cavity disposed opposite an outer face of one of the primary sheet guide and the secondary sheet guide. A sound inlet is disposed in proximity to the bending portion and intakes the slide noise generated by the bending portion. A sound guide communicates with the sound inlet and the resonant cavity to guide the slide noise from the sound inlet to the resonant cavity.