Sheet Feeder Separation Pad Dynamics for Multi-Feeding Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet feeder systems in image forming apparatuses often experience multi-feeding errors due to insufficient frictional resistance when the sheet pressing plate ascends and the friction surface of the separation pad becomes close to parallel with the imaginary plane, leading to inadequate resistance for the recording sheets.
Innovation Solution
The sheet feeder mechanism incorporates an oscillating mechanism that adjusts the position of the separation pad relative to the separation roller, increasing the contact pressure between the separation pad and the recording sheet as the pressing plate moves upward, ensuring a sufficient resistance is maintained to prevent multi-feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet pressing plate ascends as the number of recording sheets decreases, then the sheet supply mechanism adapts to the reduced sheet stack, but the frictional force between the separation pad and recording sheet becomes insufficient, causing multi-feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The separation pad is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and contact pressure with the recording sheet. The pad can be moved closer to the separation roller to increase contact pressure when the pressing plate ascends, maintaining sufficient frictional force to prevent multi-feeding while adapting to varying sheet stack heights
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pressure parameter between the separation pad and recording sheet is dynamically changed by adjusting the pad's position relative to the separation roller. As the pressing plate ascends and sheet stack height decreases, the separation pad is moved to increase contact pressure, compensating for the reduced normal force and maintaining adequate frictional resistance
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 adjustment in the sheet feeder mechanism effectively prevents multi-feeding by maintaining a consistent and sufficient resistance force on the recording sheets, ensuring accurate single-sheet feeding even as the number of sheets in the tray decreases.
Implementation Method 1
The separation pad is disposed facing the separation roller and configured to contact a sheet from an opposite side from the separation roller and provide a resistance with the sheet
Implementation Method 2
a position adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the position of the separation pad in accordance with movement of the sheet pressing plate, including an elastic member configured to press the separation pad toward the separation roller
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder feeds a sheet to an image forming unit. The sheet feeder can include a supply tray that holds a stack of sheets, a separation element disposed at an end of the supply tray, and configured to contact and apply a resistive force to a sheet in the stack, and a separation roller disposed facing the separation element, and configured to rotate, contact and apply a feeding force to an uppermost sheet in the stack. The sheet feeder may also include a pressing plate pivotally attached to the supply tray at an end remote from the separation element, and configured to move toward the separation element as a number of sheets in the stack decreases, and a pressure applying element that increases a contact surface pressure between the separation element and the uppermost sheet in response to the pressing plate moving toward the separation element.