Sheet Feed Device with Adjustable Moment Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feed devices struggle to efficiently handle and feed bundles of envelopes with uneven thicknesses, leading to inclined feeding surfaces and low productivity, as they cannot accommodate sheets of any size effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feed device with a bottom plate supported by an elastic member and adjustable support force members that can adjust the moment force applied, ensuring the uppermost sheet is kept horizontal, even when dealing with varying envelope sizes and thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large number of envelopes are stacked in a sheet feed tray, then the quantity of sheets increases, but the uppermost surface becomes inclined due to uneven thickness, causing feeding failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable support portion that can dynamically adjust its position and angle in response to the uneven thickness of envelope stacks. The support portion rotates about a rotation axis to follow the contour of the envelope stack, maintaining contact with the uppermost surface regardless of thickness variations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to accommodate large quantities of envelopes while preserving surface levelness for reliable feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the support system by allowing the support portion to rotate and adjust its orientation. The rotation angle and position of the support portion are varied to match the varying thickness profile of the envelope stack, thereby maintaining the uppermost surface at the correct feeding height and orientation throughout the stack.
2Device complexity
If a sheet feed device is designed for standard sizes only, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot feed envelopes of any size effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal support mechanism where the movable support portion can accommodate envelopes of various sizes and thickness profiles. By allowing the support portion to rotate and adjust its position, a single device configuration can handle different envelope dimensions without requiring multiple specialized trays or complex adjustment mechanisms, thus achieving versatility with relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic nature of the support portion enables it to adapt to different envelope sizes through rotation and positional adjustment. The support system responds to the specific geometry of each envelope stack, making the device versatile across different envelope dimensions while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the sheet feed tray is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot maintain level feeding surface when envelope weight distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed tray, the patent employs a movable support portion that can dynamically respond to uneven weight distribution in envelope stacks. The support portion rotates about a rotation axis to maintain contact with the uppermost surface, automatically compensating for weight-induced deformations and maintaining feeding surface levelness without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support portion acts as a self-adjusting element that automatically adapts to the weight distribution and thickness profile of the envelope stack. The rotation mechanism allows the support to self-position itself to maintain the correct feeding surface orientation, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 configuration allows for stable and efficient feeding of a large number of sheets of any size, increasing productivity by maintaining a level feeding surface and accommodating envelopes with different thicknesses without inclining the sheet feed stand.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that is directly or indirectly disposed on the bottom plate and urges the bottom plate upward
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sheet feed device that sequentially feeds sheets from an uppermost sheet of a bundle of stacked sheets, the sheet feed device including: a bottom plate that supports a lower surface of the bundle of sheets; and an elastic member that is directly or indirectly disposed on the bottom plate and urges the bottom plate upward, in which the elastic member includes support force adjustment members that can adjust moment force applied to a first position of the elastic member.