Sheet Feeder Deformation Prevention Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeders in image forming apparatuses often cause sheet deformation due to prolonged contact with the feed roller and separating pad, leading to curled sheets that can result in faulty images when the curled sheets come into contact with the recording head.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder configuration that includes a sheet tray, a feed roller, a separating pad, a feed motor, a conveying roller pair, and a deformation prevention member to prevent sheet deformation by controlling the feed roller and separating pad's interaction with the sheets, ensuring proper sheet alignment and reducing curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the feed roller and separating pad continuously nip the second sheet to prepare for the next feeding, then the sheet separation function is improved, but the head of the second sheet curls and deforms
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the feed roller/separating pad system and the sheet head. This support member provides additional support to the sheet head region during the nipping process, preventing deformation while allowing the feed roller and separating pad to maintain their sheet separation function. The support member acts as a mediator that distributes the pressure and prevents concentration of force that causes curling.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member provides localized support specifically at the sheet head region where deformation occurs, without affecting the overall sheet separation mechanism. This local intervention addresses the specific problem of head curling while maintaining the global function of sheet separation. The support is applied only where needed (at the head portion) rather than uniformly across the entire sheet.
2Reliability
If the separating nail returns to original position after each separation, then the separation function is maintained, but sheet feeding speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating nail is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to perform multiple functions in a single motion cycle. Rather than returning to the original position after each separation, the nail maintains a continuous positioning that enables it to engage with the next sheet immediately, thereby maintaining separation function while increasing feeding speed. The dynamic design allows the nail to adapt its position based on the sheet flow without requiring full retraction.
3Productivity
If the feed roller picks up multiple sheets, then the feeding efficiency is improved, but sheet separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The separating pad performs a preliminary separation action on the sheet stack before the feed roller picks up the sheets. By pre-separating the top sheet from the rest of the stack, the system enables the feed roller to efficiently pick up multiple sheets while maintaining reliable separation. The preliminary action of the separating pad creates the necessary conditions for high-speed feeding without compromising separation quality.
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 solution effectively prevents sheet deformation and curling, ensuring accurate sheet feeding and reducing the occurrence of faulty images by maintaining sheet flatness and proper alignment during the feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
The friction pad separates the first sheet from the other sheets when the feed roller feeds the first sheet. The friction coefficient between the feed roller and a sheet is greater than a friction coefficient between the separating pad and the sheet. The friction coefficient between the separating pad and the sheet is greater than a friction coefficient between sheets.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder includes a sheet tray, a feed roller, a separating pad, a feed motor, a conveying roller pair, and a deformation prevention member. The feed roller picks up and feeds first and second sheets from the sheet tray. The separating pad separates the first sheet from the second sheet together with the feed roller. The deformation prevention member is provided to prevent deformation of a head of the second sheet caused by the feed roller and the separating pad nipping the second sheet.