Sheet Feeder Driving Gear with Bidirectional Rotation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding technologies require complex configurations with separate motors for reverse and normal rotation of the feed roller, leading to complications in preventing multiple sheets from being fed together.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design incorporating a driving gear with dual engaging mechanisms that allows the feed roller to rotate in both reverse and normal directions using a single predetermined rotational direction, utilizing a first gear mechanism for reverse rotation and a second gear mechanism for normal rotation, without the need for a separate motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate motor is used for reverse and normal rotation of the feed roller, then the feed roller can rotate in both directions independently, but the device configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of reverse rotation and normal rotation into a single motor by using a pawl-ratchet mechanism. The pawl engages with the ratchet teeth to enable reverse rotation when needed, while the same motor provides normal rotation through direct coupling, eliminating the need for separate motors for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl-ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary between the single motor and the feed roller. It transmits rotational force from the motor to the feed roller in both directions by selectively engaging or disengaging the pawl with the ratchet teeth, allowing one motor to control bidirectional rotation.
2Productivity
If the feed roller rotates normally without reverse rotation, then the sheet feeding process is simple, but multiple sheets may be fed together at once
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary reverse rotation of the feed roller before normal rotation. This preliminary action separates the top sheet from the stack by rotating it backward, ensuring that only one sheet will be fed during the subsequent normal rotation, thus preventing multiple sheets from being fed together.
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse rotation serves as a preliminary anti-action to counteract the tendency of multiple sheets to be fed together. By rotating the feed roller backward first, it creates separation between sheets, preventing the harmful effect of multi-sheet feeding during the productive normal rotation phase.
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 design simplifies the configuration by enabling single-direction motor operation for both reverse and normal rotation, effectively preventing multiple sheets from being fed simultaneously, thus enhancing the sheet feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
a first gear mechanism configured to transmit the driving force from the driving gear to the feed roller so as to rotate the feed roller in a reverse direction opposite to the feeding direction, and a second gear mechanism configured to transmit the driving force from the driving gear to the feed roller so as to rotate the feed roller in the feeding direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder includes a feed roller feeding a sheet while rotating in a feeding direction, a driving gear that rotates in a predetermined direction and transmits a driving force, a first gear mechanism transmitting the force to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in a reverse direction opposite to the feeding direction, and a second gear mechanism transmitting the force to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in the feeding direction. The driving gear includes a first engaging member that engages with the first gear mechanism and transmits the force to the first gear mechanism at a rotational angle of the driving gear within a first range, and a second engaging member that engages with the second gear mechanism and transmits the force to the second gear mechanism at the rotational angle within a second range having no common range with the first range.