Sheet Feeder Clutch Vibration Control via Flywheel Inertia
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet feeder systems in image forming apparatuses generate vibrations when the clutch engages or disengages, causing jitter in the image formation process due to sudden torque application, which affects the optical unit, transfer belt, and photosensitive drum.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder system is designed with a clutch that transmits and cuts off driving force to the feed roller, featuring a rotary shaft connected to the clutch, a torque limiter, and an inertial member, which reduces vibration by controlling the engagement and disengagement of the clutch, using an electromagnetic clutch and flywheel to manage rotational torque and inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clutch is used to transmit and cut off driving force to the feed roller, then the feed roller can be controlled to rotate and stop, but sudden torque is applied to the driving shaft and vibration is generated
Solution Approach 1:
A flywheel is installed on the rotary shaft of the feed roller to cushion sudden torque changes. The flywheel stores kinetic energy and smooths out vibrations during clutch engagement and disengagement, preventing sudden torque application from affecting the driving shaft and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flywheel acts as an intermediary element between the clutch and the rotary shaft. It absorbs and dissipates vibration energy, serving as a buffer that prevents direct transmission of sudden torque shocks to the driving shaft and other sensitive components in the image forming apparatus.
2Speed
If the clutch engages or disengages suddenly, then the feed roller can be quickly stopped or started, but vibration is transmitted to the optical unit, transfer belt, and photosensitive drum causing image jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel is pre-installed on the rotary shaft to provide cushioning before clutch engagement or disengagement occurs. This ensures that when sudden torque changes happen, the flywheel absorbs the shock and prevents vibration transmission to the optical unit and photosensitive drum, thereby maintaining image quality while preserving quick response capability.
3Productivity
If the feed roller is stopped to rotate at a specific timing, then sheets with prescribed flexion can be conveyed to the aligning rollers, but vibration generated during clutch operation adversely affects the image forming process
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel is installed on the rotary shaft to cushion vibrations during clutch engagement and disengagement. This allows the feed roller to be stopped and started at precise timings for optimal sheet conveying while the flywheel prevents vibration from adversely affecting the image forming process.
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 system effectively minimizes vibration during clutch engagement and disengagement, ensuring a stable image formation process with reduced jitter and improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial member provided to the rotary shaft via the torque limiter
Implementation Method 2
using an electromagnetic clutch and flywheel to manage rotational torque and inertia
Implementation Method 3
a torque limiter provided on the rotary shaft
Implementation Method 4
a clutch to transmit and cut off the driving force from a driving source to rotate the feed roller
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder includes a sheet feed roller provided at a position of the upstream side of an aligning roller along the sheet conveying direction, a clutch to transmit and cut off the driving force from a driving source to rotate the feed roller, a rotary shaft connected to the clutch in the rotatable state, a torque limiter provided on the rotary shaft, and an inertial member provided to the rotary shaft via the torque limiter.