Sheet Feeding Device Air Flow Passage for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices face challenges in accurately aligning and preventing sticking between sheets of varying widths, particularly when handling smaller sheets, which can lead to double feeding issues during the image forming process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device design incorporating a first arrangement member with a blown-out port for air distribution, a second arrangement member for smaller sheets, and a passage member to direct air from the first to the second port, ensuring proper alignment and reducing sticking between sheets by increasing air flow velocity and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single arrangement member is used for all sheet sizes, then the device structure is simple, but small sheets cannot be accurately aligned and sticking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement member is divided into a first arrangement member for large sheets and a second arrangement member for small sheets. Each member is independently configured to handle specific sheet size ranges, enabling accurate alignment for both large and small sheets while maintaining manageable structural complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second arrangement member is mounted on the first arrangement member in a stacked configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple arrangement functions within a compact footprint. This dimensional arrangement allows small sheet alignment without significantly increasing the device's horizontal complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air is sprayed to sheets, then sticking between sheets is suppressed, but air flow is insufficient for small sheets
Solution Approach 1:
Different blown-out ports are provided at different locations corresponding to large sheet areas and small sheet areas. The first blown-out port sprays air for large sheets while the second blown-out port sprays air for small sheets, ensuring that each sheet size receives appropriate air flow quantity and distribution to prevent sticking.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing function is segmented into first and second blown-out ports, each serving specific sheet size ranges. This segmentation ensures that sufficient air flow is directed to both large and small sheets independently, preventing sticking for all sheet sizes without requiring excessive overall air flow.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple arrangement members are added for different sheet sizes, then alignment accuracy improves, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The second arrangement member is mounted on the first arrangement member, creating a nested configuration where the small sheet arrangement component is integrated onto the large sheet arrangement component. This nesting reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining alignment precision for both sheet sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The first arrangement member serves dual functions: it arranges large sheets directly and provides a mounting base for the second arrangement member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for completely separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy for both large and small sheets.
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 solution effectively suppresses sticking between sheets, preventing double feeding and ensuring accurate alignment, thereby ensuring proper image formation on sheets of different sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a passage member that forms a passage introducing the air blown out from the first blown-out port to the second blown-out port
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sheet feeding device including a first arrangement member that abuts an end portion in a width direction of a fed and stacked sheet material, arranges the width direction of the sheet material, and forms a first blown-out port, a second arrangement member that is mounted on the first arrangement member, is disposed in a sheet material side with respect to the first arrangement member, abuts an end portion in a width direction of a small sheet material having a narrower width than the sheet material arranged by the first arrangement member, arranges the width direction of the small sheet material, and forms a second blown-out port, and a passage member that forms a passage introducing the air blown out from the first blown-out port to the second blown-out port.