Sheet Feeder Support Structure for Long Media Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feeders face issues with transporting long sheets, where protruding portions can sag and obstruct air flow, leading to overlapping transportation problems.

Innovation Solution

A feeder design with a mount portion that supports recording media from below, a lift portion to raise the mount portion, a support portion positioned higher than the mount surface, and a blowing portion to facilitate air flow between media, preventing overlapping transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a support portion supports recording media below a mount portion, then the structure is simple, but long sheets sag and prevent air flow causing overlapping transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidtransportation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional support structure by positioning the support portion above the mount portion instead of below. This inverted arrangement allows air to flow upward between the sheets and the support portion, preventing sheets from sagging and blocking airflow, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and transportation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the support structure by elevating the support portion above the mount portion. This dimensional change creates vertical space for air flow between the sheets and support portion, transforming a two-dimensional support problem into a three-dimensional solution that maintains both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If air is blown to sheets from a blowing portion, then sheet separation is improved, but long protruding sheets sag and block air flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separationVSAvoidair flow obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the relative positioning by placing the support portion above the sheets rather than below, which reverses the airflow path. Air now flows upward from the blowing portion between the sheets and the elevated support portion, preventing sagging sheets from blocking the airflow and maintaining effective sheet separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevated support portion acts as an intermediary that creates a controlled air channel between the blowing portion and the sheets. This intermediary structure guides airflow along the sheets without allowing sagging portions to block the path, thereby maintaining sheet separation while accommodating long sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the support portion is positioned lower than the mount surface, then manufacturing is easier, but long sheets cannot be properly supported during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidsheet support stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the support portion above the mount surface rather than below. This inverted configuration provides stable support for long sheets during transportation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated design of the elevated support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the support stability problem by moving the support portion to a higher vertical dimension above the mount surface. This dimensional relocation provides adequate support for long sheets throughout their length during transport, while the integrated design maintains ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design effectively prevents overlapping transportation of recording media by ensuring air can flow between sheets, even when they are long, by raising the support portion to maintain airflow and separate sheets properly.

Implementation Method 1

a blowing portion that blows air between the recording media stacked on the mount portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11767184B2Feeder and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A feeder includes a body, a mount portion disposed in the body to support from below part of recording media stacked thereon, a lift that raises the mount portion, a support portion connected to the body to support from below another part of the recording media while the mount portion is raised, the support portion being located higher than a position of a mount surface of the mount portion while the recording media are stacked on the mount portion, a blowing portion that blows air between the recording media stacked on the mount portion, and a transport portion that transports the recording media stacked on the mount portion.