Sheet Feeding Device Blower Positioning for Coated Paper Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feeding devices struggle to prevent multi-feeding of coated paper sheets, especially in high-humidity environments, due to strong adherence forces between sheets, and face interference issues with blower placement for small sheet sizes.

Innovation Solution

A sheet feeding device configuration where the blower is positioned to blow air from the side beneath the adsorption conveyance section, with the ventilation port overlapping the conveyance direction, allowing for effective separation of sheets by air blown underneath the adsorption conveyance section, and controlling air flow and timing to suit paper quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air blowing is strengthened to raise sheets for separation, then sheet separation improves, but sheets are only pushed up largely and separation per sheet does not become good

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet separation qualityVSAvoidair flow velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The air blowing function is divided into two distinct stages: a first air blowing stage that raises multiple sheets from the bundle, and a second air blowing stage that separates individual sheets. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific purpose, preventing the problem of sheets being pushed up too largely while ensuring proper separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air blowing is implemented as periodic action with two distinct phases: first air blowing to raise sheets, and second air blowing to separate them. This periodic approach with controlled timing ensures that sheets are properly separated without being excessively pushed up, resolving the contradiction between separation quality and control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If blower from the side is moved to near the rear end of the paper sheet bundle to avoid interference with sheet adsorption conveyance device, then interference is avoided, but for small sheet sizes the blower cannot be used effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower positioning without interferenceVSAvoidcompatibility with small sheet sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blower is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically positioned according to sheet size. The blower can be moved to an first air blowing position for standard sheets and to an second air blowing position for small sheets, enabling the system to adapt to different sheet sizes while avoiding interference with the adsorption conveyance device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blower is designed with multi-functionality to serve different purposes: it can blow air from the side for standard sheet separation, or be positioned to blow air from below for small sheet separation. This universal design allows a single blower to handle various sheet sizes and configurations effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If ventilation port is positioned above the upper surface of the paper sheet bundle, then air blowing effectiveness improves, but the blower interferes with the sheet adsorption conveyance device when the sheet feeding tray is pulled out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair blowing effectivenessVSAvoidinterference between components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation port system is made dynamic through the movable blower that can be positioned at different locations. The blower can be placed at an first air blowing position that provides effective ventilation without interfering with the adsorption conveyance device, or moved to an second air blowing position for specific sheet size requirements, thus avoiding component interference while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration ensures reliable single-sheet feeding for coated paper sheets in high-humidity environments and accommodates small sheet sizes without interference, enhancing sheet feeding stability and preventing multi-feeding.

Implementation Method 1

blowing air toward a plurality of sheets on an upper part of the stacked sheets from this ventilation port and separating sheets by passing air between sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

a sheet adsorption conveyance device, which adsorbs and conveys one sheet at a time by air suction from a bundle of sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2077245B1Sheet Feeding Device and Image Forming Apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2077245B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2077245B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2077245B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sheet feeding device, having: a sheet feeding tray which stacks a paper sheet bundle formed by a plurality of sheets; a first blower which blows air to a side edge of the paper sheet bundle stacked on the sheet feeding tray; a second blower which blows air to a leading edge of the paper sheet bundle in a sheet conveyance direction from a forward side of the paper sheet bundle in the sheet conveyance direction; and an adsorption conveyance section which adsorbs a topmost sheet of the paper sheet bundle stacked on the sheet feeding tray and conveys the topmost sheet, wherein a first area in which the adsorption conveyance section is provided, and a second area in which a ventilation port of the first blower is provided, respectively includes an overlapping area in which the first area and the second area overlap on the sheet conveyance direction.