Sheet Feeder Convex Pad Holder Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeders using friction pads face feeding failures due to collisions between the leading end of recording media and the friction pad, especially when the media has a concave shape, and require additional components like low friction sheets to prevent edge catching, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design featuring a pad holder with a convex portion positioned downstream of the friction pad, which contacts the recording medium before it reaches the separation nip, preventing collisions and edge catching without the need for additional low friction sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low friction sheet is added to prevent feeding failure, then feeding reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feeding guide function and the collision prevention function into a single integrated feeding guide structure. The feeding guide includes a guide surface that directs the recording medium and a collision prevention surface that prevents the leading end from hitting the friction pad, eliminating the need for separate low friction sheets while maintaining feeding reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding guide structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the recording medium into proper position, prevents edge catching on the friction pad, and prevents collision between the leading end and the friction pad. This multi-functional design reduces component count while improving overall system reliability
2Productivity
If the leading end of recording medium contacts the friction pad before separation nip, then separation may be achieved, but feeding failure occurs due to collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a collision prevention surface on the feeding guide that acts before the recording medium reaches the friction pad. This surface prevents the leading end from colliding with the friction pad by redirecting it, thereby preventing feeding failure before it occurs
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 convex portion effectively removes concave portions from recording sheets, preventing feeding failures and ensuring proper separation without increasing the number of components, thus reducing costs and maintaining efficient feeding performance.
Implementation Method 1
a separation nip formed between a friction pad and a separation roller separates one recording medium from a plurality of recording media fed into the separation nip
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder includes: a friction pad held by a pad holder; and a separation roller that is in contact with the friction pad while in rotation. A separation nip formed between the friction pad and the separation roller separates a recording medium from a plurality of recording media fed into the separation nip, and the pad holder includes a convex portion that is provided downstream of the friction pad in a sheet feeding direction and at a middle portion in a first width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and that is capable of coming into contact with the recording medium.