Sheet Feeder Drive Mechanism for High-Speed Paper Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet feeders require multiple driving sources for each paper tray, leading to increased cost and space usage, and existing solutions that use a single driving source with reversible rotation suffer from inefficiencies in processing speed due to deceleration, reversing, and backlash in the drive system.

Innovation Solution

A sheet feeder system with a pair of sheet feeding units, where the driving source of the first unit rotates the feed roller forward and the conveying roller of the second unit backward, utilizing torque limiter and one-way clutches to enable independent control and continuous rotation without reversing the driving source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single driving source with reversible rotation is used to drive both feed roller and conveying roller, then the number of driving sources is reduced, but processing speed decreases due to deceleration, reversing, and backlash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of driving sourcesVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the drive system into two independent driving sources: one dedicated to the feed roller and another dedicated to the conveying roller. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single motor to reverse direction, allowing each roller to be driven continuously in its required direction, thereby maintaining high processing speed while reducing mechanical complexity of control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by having the first driving source perform dual functions: driving the feed roller during sheet feeding and driving the conveying roller during sheet conveyance. This eliminates the need for a second dedicated motor for the conveying roller, reducing the total number of driving sources while maintaining continuous operation without reversal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single driving source is used to drive both feed roller and conveying roller by switching rotation direction, then cost is reduced, but time is lost during direction switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive system structureVSAvoidtime loss during direction switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driving functions into two independent motors, eliminating the time loss associated with direction switching. Each motor operates continuously in one direction, and the control system switches between them based on operational phase, thereby eliminating mechanical reversal time while maintaining simplified drive system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the drive system by having both driving sources available and synchronized in advance. The first driving source is pre-configured to switch from driving the feed roller to driving the conveying roller without directional reversal, eliminating time loss by having the transition already prepared and executed smoothly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If reversible rotation is used in a single driving source, then the number of driving sources is reduced, but mechanical load increases due to abrupt reversing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of driving sourcesVSAvoidmechanical load on drive system

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driving function into two independent motors, each responsible for a specific roller. This segmentation eliminates abrupt reversing operations that cause mechanical shock and increased load, thereby improving reliability while maintaining a reduced number of driving sources through the multi-functional first motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having a single motor reverse direction to switch between feed roller and conveying roller, the patent inverts the approach by using two motors that switch roles. The first motor switches from driving the feed roller to driving the conveying roller, while the second motor takes over conveying roller duty, eliminating mechanical reversal stress and improving system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reduces time losses and mechanical load, allowing for high-speed processing and reduced power consumption by eliminating the need for reversing rotations and backlash, enhancing the durability of the drive system.

Implementation Method 1

a separation roller configured to be in press contact with the feed roller to be rotated via a torque limiter in a direction in which the separation roller returns the paper back to the paper tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque limiter:

Data Source

PatentUS8672315B2Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

In a sheet feeder comprising a pair of sheet feeding units and an image forming apparatus comprising the sheet feeder according to the present invention, a feed roller of a first sheet feeding unit of the pair of sheet feeding units is driven to rotate when a driving source of the first sheet feeding unit rotates in the forward direction, and a conveying roller of a second sheet feeding unit of the pair of sheet feeding units is driven to rotate when the driving source of the first sheet feeding unit rotates in the backward direction.