Sheet Discharge Device Blower Mechanism for Curling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet discharge devices face issues with curling sheets blocking discharge ports, leading to potential sheet discharge failures, particularly when dealing with largely curling sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet discharge device equipped with a blower mechanism that includes air blow holes positioned above the discharge port, blowing air diagonally downward to prevent curling and ensure stable discharge and stackability of sheets on a discharge tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air blow holes are positioned directly above the discharge port, then the air flow can effectively suppress curling of sheets, but the air flow may not be optimally distributed across the width of the sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The single air blow hole is divided into multiple air blow holes arranged in a row across the width direction. This segmentation allows the air flow to be distributed more effectively across different regions of the sheet, improving curling suppression while maintaining a relatively simple blower mechanism design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple air blow holes are positioned at specific locations across the width direction of the discharge port. Each air blow hole targets a specific region of the sheet, providing localized air flow where needed to suppress curling, rather than using a single centralized hole.
2Device complexity
If a single air blow hole is used, then the blower mechanism is simple, but the air flow cannot effectively cover the entire width of the sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing function is segmented into multiple independent air blow holes arranged across the width direction. This allows each hole to contribute to air flow in its specific region, collectively covering the entire sheet width more effectively than a single hole could.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blow holes are arranged in the widthwise direction (horizontal dimension) rather than concentrating air flow in a single vertical position. This dimensional arrangement allows the air flow to spread across the width of the sheets, improving coverage without significantly increasing vertical complexity.
3Reliability
If air is blown strongly to suppress curling, then sheet discharge stability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total air flow required for effective curling suppression is divided among multiple air blow holes. Each hole delivers a portion of the total air flow, which reduces the air flow requirement per hole and allows for more efficient blower operation, potentially lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining discharge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Air flow is delivered locally at multiple specific positions across the sheet width rather than requiring strong uniform air flow across the entire width. This localized approach allows each region to receive adequate air flow for curling suppression without the excessive energy consumption associated with uniformly strong air flow across the whole sheet.
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 blower mechanism effectively suppresses curling of sheets, ensuring stable discharge and stackability, even with larger or smaller sheets, thereby preventing discharge failures and enhancing the reliability of the sheet discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
a blower device coupled to the air blow hole to generate the air flow
Implementation Method 2
The air blow hole, being provided upward of the sheet discharge port, is placed in at least one pair or more on both sides of a center of the sheets in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, and the air flow derived from the air blow hole is blown off against the sheets diagonally downward from outside to inside of the widthwise direction
Data Source
AI summary
The sheet discharge device includes a sheet discharge port, a discharge member, a sheet discharge tray, and a blower mechanism. The sheets discharged through the sheet discharge port by the discharge member are stacked on the sheet discharge tray. The blower mechanism includes an air blow hole for blowing off an air flow from upward to the sheets discharged through the sheet discharge port, and a blower device coupled to the air blow hole to generate the air flow. The air blow hole, being provided upward of the sheet discharge port, is placed in at least one pair or more on both sides of a center of the sheet in its widthwise direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, and the air flow derived from the air blow hole is blown off diagonally downward from outside to inside of the widthwise direction.