Sheet Feed Device Separation Plate Projections for High Rigidity Sheet Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feed devices can damage the surface of sheets with high rigidity when feeding from a low stack, particularly in inkjet recording apparatuses, due to the design of separation portions on the separation plate.
Innovation Solution
The sheet feed device incorporates an inclined separation plate with separation portions and projections, where the projections on the inclined surface extend further than the separation portions, positioned upstream and downstream, to prevent surface damage by guiding sheets smoothly through the feed path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separation portions are positioned on the separation plate to separate sheets from the stack, then sheet separation is improved, but sheet surface may be damaged when feeding high rigidity sheets from low stack
Solution Approach 1:
The separation plate features localized projections at specific positions (upstream and downstream of separation portions) with different projection distances. These local structural variations create zones of different separation forces, allowing gentle guidance at critical areas while maintaining effective separation at other areas, thus preventing surface damage to high rigidity sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation plate is divided into multiple functional zones: upstream projection, first separation portion, second separation portion, and downstream projection. Each segment performs a specific function in the sheet feeding process, creating a staged separation approach that reduces abrupt contact forces and prevents surface damage.
2Reliability
If separation portions project from the inclined surface to effectively separate sheets, then separation performance is improved, but contact with lower separation portions increases causing surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream projection is positioned before the separation portions to preemptively guide the sheet edge onto the inclined surface. This preliminary action prevents the sheet from contacting lower separation portions that would cause damage, while still allowing effective separation to occur at the designated separation portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections act as intermediary elements between the sheet and the separation portions. They mediate the interaction by providing a controlled contact point that guides the sheet through the separation process without allowing direct contact with potentially damaging lower separation portions.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feed device has a tray with holding surface for holding sheets, a feed unit for feeding sheets from the tray, and a separation plate. The separation plate has an inclined surface and two or more separation portions that separate a sheet from the sheets held in the tray. At least one of the separation portions projects a first distance from the inclined surface. The separation plate also has a projection positioned on the inclined surface that projects a second distance from the inclined surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A first of the separation portions is positioned upstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction, and a second of the separation portions positioned downstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction.