Sheet Feeder Load Distribution via Segmented Transmission Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording apparatuses face issues with load concentration on the registering-roller shaft, which can adversely affect sheet feeding due to the parallel connection of force transmitting units, leading to potential mechanical stress and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design that distributes the load in the force transmission path by using a sheet supply roller, a sheet feed roller, a discharge roller, and a drive motor to rotate these components, with separate transmitting mechanisms for each, including pulleys and gears to ensure efficient and balanced rotation, thereby reducing mechanical stress and simplifying the force transmission mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one motor drives a plurality of driven portions by distributing drive force through parallel force transmitting units, then the device complexity is reduced, but load concentration occurs on the registering-roller shaft adversely affecting sheet feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the force transmission path into multiple independent branches. Instead of connecting all force transmitting units in parallel to a single shaft, the invention creates separate transmission paths where each unit transmits force to different shafts (first shaft, second shaft, third shaft), thereby segmenting the load distribution and preventing concentration on one shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate shafts as mediators in the force transmission path. The first shaft acts as an intermediary between the first force transmitting unit and the second shaft, and the second shaft serves as an intermediary between the first and third force transmitting units. These intermediate elements distribute and buffer the transmitted forces, preventing direct load concentration.
2Device complexity
If multiple force transmitting units are connected in parallel to a single shaft, then the mechanism is simplified, but mechanical stress concentrates on that shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission mechanism into multiple independent shafts (first shaft, second shaft, third shaft) rather than using a single shaft for all force transmitting units. Each shaft carries a portion of the total load, dividing the mechanical stress across multiple components and preventing concentration on a single shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension (single shaft) force transmission to a multi-dimensional (multiple shafts arranged spatially) transmission system. The shafts are positioned at different locations and orientations, distributing the mechanical stress across multiple spatial dimensions rather than concentrating it in one location.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder, including: a sheet supply roller configured to supply a sheet to a sheet feeding path; a sheet feed roller configured to feed the sheet supplied to the sheet feeding path by the sheet supply roller to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction in which the sheet is fed; a discharge roller configured to discharge the sheet fed by the feed roller to a downstream side in the sheet feeding direction; a drive motor configured to drive a first shaft for rotating the feed roller; a first transmitting mechanism configured to transmit a rotary motion of the first shaft to a second shaft for rotating the discharge roller; and a second transmitting mechanism configured to transmit a rotary motion of the second shaft to a third shaft for rotating the sheet supply roller.