Sheet Feeder With Overlapping Cassette Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding mechanisms in printers cannot accommodate sheets of maximum size for both regular and gloss paper simultaneously without compromising the compactness of the configuration, leading to operational inconveniences and limited paper size options.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design with overlapping sheet stacking parts at multiple stages, featuring independent rotatable rollers and arms that allow for maximum size accommodation while maintaining a compact configuration, using side regulating plates for adjustable sheet width and independent motor-driven feeding mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the upper-stage feeding cassette is arranged to not overlap the lower-stage feeding cassette in the sheet stacking direction, then the sheet stacking direction size is miniaturized, but the upper-stage feeding cassette cannot accommodate sheets of maximum size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the arrangement dimension from vertical stacking (sheet stacking direction) to horizontal arrangement (width direction). The upper-stage feeding cassette is positioned such that its sheet width direction aligns with the lower-stage feeding cassette's sheet stacking direction, enabling maximum size sheets to be accommodated in both stages while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
2Volume of stationary object
If a secondary paper accommodating portion is arranged above the cassette body, then the configuration is compact, but the size in the feeding direction has to be limited to a small size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reorients the secondary paper accommodating portion such that it extends in the width direction rather than the feeding direction. This dimensional change allows the secondary accommodating portion to hold maximum size sheets while keeping the feeding direction dimensions compact, resolving the contradiction between compactness and paper size capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet printer includes sheet stacking and supplying parts that overlap each other at upper and lower stages, and the first sheet stacking and supplying part includes a first feeding roller that separates, supplies and conveys a sheet, and a first feeding roller arm that holds the first feeding roller so as to be capable of abutting on the sheet, and rotates about an axis. The second sheet stacking and supplying part includes a second feeding roller that separates, supplies and conveys a sheet, and a second feeding roller arm that holds the second feeding roller so as to be capable of abutting on the sheet, and rotates about an axis. The second feeding roller arm is disposed outside the first sheet stacking and supplying part in a direction that intersects a supplying and conveying direction of the sheet.