Sheet Feeder Damping Member for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding devices cause vibration and movement in image forming apparatuses due to collision impacts between the sheet stacker and housing, leading to loosely mounted components and instability, and existing solutions are complex or ineffective in cushioning impacts.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a damping member, such as a centrifugal clutch, that applies a damping force based on the moving speed of the sheet stacker, ensuring controlled movement and reducing collision impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large number of sheets are stored in the sheet stacker to increase capacity, then the sheet feeding device can handle more sheets, but the weight increases causing vibration and movement in the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping member that is pre-installed in the sheet stacker to cushion impacts before they occur. The damping member is positioned to engage with the housing during sheet stacker movement, absorbing collision impacts before they can cause vibration or movement in the image forming apparatus.
2Ease of operation
If the sheet stacker is made removable for easy access, then sheet replenishment becomes easier, but collision impacts between the sheet stacker and housing cause vibration and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member is pre-installed in the sheet stacker to cushion impacts before they occur during the removable operation. This allows the sheet stacker to be easily removed and reinstalled without causing vibration or movement in the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member acts as an intermediary element between the sheet stacker and the housing. It absorbs the collision impact during movement, preventing direct transmission of forces to the apparatus structure while still allowing easy removal and reinstallation of the sheet stacker.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an elastic member is used to cushion impact, then collision impacts are reduced, but the construction becomes complex and the optimum design is difficult to determine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a damping member that can be implemented as a relatively simple, possibly disposable or easily replaceable component. This avoids the complexity of designing an optimum elastic member system while still effectively cushioning impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member serves as a simple intermediary element that absorbs impact forces without requiring complex construction. It provides the necessary cushioning function while maintaining ease of manufacture and installation.
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 damping member effectively cushions collision impacts, maintains the image forming apparatus in a horizontal position, and prevents components from becoming loosely mounted, enhancing stability and operation.
Implementation Method 1
The damping member is adapted to exert on the sheet stacker a damping force according to moving speed of the sheet stacker
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes a stacking plate, a sheet stacker, and a damping member. The stacking plate is liftably supported in the sheet stacker and is adapted for sheets to be fed into a sheet processing apparatus to be stacked thereon. The sheet stacker is adapted to be movable between a housed position where the stacker is housed in a housing and an exposed position where the stacking plate is exposed outside of the housing. The damping member is adapted to exert on the sheet stacker a damping force according to moving speed of the sheet stacker, thereby limiting the moving speed.