Sheet Conveying Apparatus Stopper Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet conveying apparatuses face difficulties in effectively restricting the movement of leading edges of sheets due to limited space near the set roller and separating roller, causing the stopper's distal end to be easily separated from the recess, which hinders proper sheet separation and conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying apparatus is designed with a stopper and stopper cam mechanism, where the stopper is pivotable to intersect the conveyance path and the stopper cam is positioned upstream to contact and maintain the stopper's distal end, ensuring proper alignment and preventing the stopper from moving away, even under shock conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rotation shaft of the set guide is located near the set roller to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stopper cannot appropriately restrict movement of leading edges of sheets due to insufficient contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the rotation shaft of the stopper upstream of the set roller in the conveying direction, utilizing the space in the conveying direction dimension rather than compromising the lateral space near the set roller. This dimensional shift allows sufficient distance for the stopper to effectively restrict sheet leading edges while maintaining compact overall device layout.
2Reliability
If the stopper is positioned to intersect the conveyance path, then sheet edge restriction is improved, but the stopper is easily separated from the recess under shock conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper cam is positioned upstream of the set roller to preliminarily contact and restrict the stopper at its distal end position before sheets are conveyed. This preliminary action ensures the stopper maintains stable contact with the sheet leading edges even under shock conditions, preventing separation while the sheets are being fed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper cam acts as an intermediary between the stopper and the sheet leading edges. By positioning the stopper cam upstream to contact the stopper, it mediates the force transmission and stabilizes the stopper position, ensuring reliable sheet edge restriction without direct harsh contact that could cause separation.
3Volume of moving object
If components are disposed at small space near the set roller and separating roller, then device compactness is improved, but the set guide cannot move sufficiently from third position to fourth position
Solution Approach 1:
The set guide and stopper are positioned upstream of the set roller in the conveying direction, utilizing the available space in the conveying direction dimension. This allows the set guide to have sufficient movement range from third position to fourth position without increasing the lateral footprint of the device near the set roller and separating roller.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a supporter having a support surface; a supplier including a supply roller rotatable about a rotation axis; a separator for separating sheets; a stopper pivotable about a first axis and movable between a first position at which a distal end portion of the stopper intersects a conveyance path and a second position at which the distal end portion is separated from the support surface; and a stopper cam pivotable about a second axis and movable between a third position at which the stopper cam contacts the distal end portion at the first position and a fourth position at which the stopper cam is spaced apart from the distal end portion at the first position. The second axis is located upstream of the rotation axis of the supply roller and farther from the support surface than the rotation axis.