Sheet Feeder Separation Protrusions for High-Speed Paper Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeders in image recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed sheet separation due to the large distance between separation protrusions, leading to inadequate sheet separation ability and potential multiple sheet feeding.
Innovation Solution
The sheet feeder design incorporates separation protrusions on an inclined member where adjacent protrusions overlap in the sheet feed direction, ensuring that the leading edge of each sheet directly contacts the next protrusion after passing one, enhancing sheet separation reliability and preventing multiple sheet feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple separation protrusions are formed in the separation member with a punching process, then the separation member structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the distance between adjacent separation protrusions is large which reduces sheet separation ability
Solution Approach 1:
The separation member is divided into multiple independent separation protrusions arranged in the sheet feed direction. Each protrusion acts as an independent separation element, and their collective arrangement creates continuous separation coverage despite individual protrusions being spaced apart
Solution Approach 2:
The separation protrusions are arranged not only in the width direction but also extended in the sheet feed direction, creating a two-dimensional array. This dimensional extension allows the protrusions to work together to cover gaps that would exist if only single-row protrusions were used
2Ease of operation
If the inclined sheet-separation plate has a small inclination angle for smooth sheet feeding, then sheets can be fed smoothly, but the sheet separation ability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined sheet-separation plate has different surface properties in different regions. The inclined surface provides smooth feeding, while the separation protrusions provide separation force. Each region performs its specialized function without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The separation protrusions act as intermediary elements between the inclined surface and the sheets. They transfer and enhance the separation effect by providing additional frictional force at critical points where sheets need to be separated
3Productivity
If the feeding speed is increased to achieve high-speed image recording, then productivity is improved, but the sheet separation ability deteriorates due to increased feeding speed
Solution Approach 1:
The separation protrusions are positioned upstream in the sheet feed path to perform separation action before sheets are fully accelerated. This preliminary separation prevents multiple sheets from being fed together even at high speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple separation protrusions arranged in the sheet feed direction create continuous separation action throughout the feeding process. As sheets move past one protrusion, the next protrusion continues the separation effect, ensuring uninterrupted separation even during high-speed feeding
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 significantly improves sheet separation ability, ensuring reliable separation of sheets even during high-speed feeding, thereby preventing multiple sheet feeding and enhancing the overall performance of the sheet feeder.
Implementation Method 1
a separation member by which leading edges of the recording sheets are separated for preventing multiple feeding of the recording sheets
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet feeder, including: a sheet holding portion (20); a sheet supply portion (29); an inclined member (24) having an inclined surface (26) and configured to guide each sheet in a sheet feed direction (104); and separation protrusions (51; 51, 55, 56) which are provided on the inclined member, each of which protrudes from the inclined surface such that a distal end (52) thereof is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than a proximal end (53) thereof, wherein each separation protrusion has a contact surface (51a) and said each sheet comes into contact with one or more contact surfaces of the separation protrusions, and wherein each separation protrusion protrudes from the inclined surface such that the distal end of one of the separation protrusions is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than the proximal end of another of the separation protrusions that is located immediately downstream of the one of the separation protrusions in the sheet feed direction.