Sheet Feeder Synchronized Rollers Prevent Creasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeders face issues with conveyance resistance, leading to potential slipping and damage of sheets, particularly with wide or thick sheets, due to unsynchronized rotating speeds of feed rollers, resulting in creases or cuts.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design featuring a first and second rotating body with distinct driving-force transfer mechanisms, where the second rotating body is driven by friction when the first rotating body slips, ensuring consistent sheet conveyance without damage, and incorporating a one-way clutch to manage rotational forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two feed rollers are provided to convey sheets, then conveyance reliability is improved, but synchronization of rotating speeds between the two feed rollers cannot be achieved, causing sheet damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving functions of two feed rollers into a single integrated driving mechanism. The first and second feed rollers are both driven by the same driving source through a shared transmission mechanism, ensuring they rotate at synchronized speeds. This eliminates the synchronization problems that occur when two independent feed rollers are used, while still providing the conveyance reliability of having two rollers work together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal driving mechanism that serves both feed rollers simultaneously. The single driving source and transmission system provide multi-functionality by controlling both rollers, ensuring they operate in unison. This universal approach allows the system to maintain synchronized rotation while providing reliable sheet conveyance, avoiding the sheet damage caused by speed differences between independently driven rollers.
2Productivity
If conveyance resistance is increased for wide sheets, then conveyance capability is improved, but feed roller slipping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving forces of two feed rollers into a unified conveyance system. By using a single driving source that simultaneously drives both rollers through a synchronized transmission mechanism, the system generates sufficient total conveyance force to handle wide sheets with high resistance without causing individual roller slipping. The merged driving capability provides the necessary power while maintaining reliable grip.
3Speed
If a single driving source is used for both feed rollers, then rotational speed synchronization is achieved, but sheet deflection or pulling may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sheet conveyance process into two distinct stages handled by separate feed rollers. The first feed roller performs the initial sheet pickup and feed, while the second feed roller provides support and continues conveyance. This segmentation allows each roller to perform its specific function optimally, preventing sheet deflection and pulling that would occur if a single roller tried to handle the entire conveyance process alone, while the synchronized rotation ensures smooth operation.
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 ensures reliable sheet conveyance without creases or cuts, maintaining consistent speed and reducing the risk of slipping, even with high conveyance resistance, by dynamically adjusting the driving force between the first and second rotating bodies.
Implementation Method 1
the second rotating body is rotated by a friction force between the sheet and the second rotating body, when a conveying speed of the sheet on the sheet tray is greater than a second speed which is smaller than the first speed
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeder is provided. The sheet feeder includes a sheet tray which retains a sheet; a first rotating body for applying a first conveying force to the sheet retained in the sheet tray; a second rotating body for applying a second conveying force to the sheet retained in the sheet tray; and a conveying force transfer unit which controls the second rotating body based on whether the first rotating body slips on the sheet.