Sheet Feeding Device with Coordinated Dual-Lifter Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding devices in image forming apparatuses experience irregular feeding issues such as idle feeding and double-feeding due to varying angles of the topmost sheet with respect to the feed roller, which are not effectively addressed by existing solutions that attempt to maintain a constant angle or use guide grooves with limited adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a holder plate that includes a first lifter and a second lifter, coordinated to move the sheet holder in a manner that maintains a consistent angle of the topmost sheet with respect to the feed roller, preventing irregular feeding by adjusting the inclination based on the remaining sheet stack height, thereby ensuring proper feeding and downsizing the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holder plate is pivoted about the further side and the nearer side is uplifted, then the sheet stack is maintained in an uplifted position and the topmost sheet reaches the feed roller, but the angle of the topmost sheet with respect to the feed roller varies, causing irregular feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The holder plate is designed to be dynamically adjustable in its inclination angle. The coordinating system enables the holder plate to change its angle relative to the feed roller based on the sheet stack height, transitioning from a fixed-angle design to a dynamic adaptation mechanism that maintains optimal feeding conditions throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the holder plate is changed as a variable parameter rather than being fixed. The coordinating system monitors sheet stack conditions and adjusts the holder plate angle accordingly, transforming a static geometric parameter into a controllable variable that adapts to operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the holder plate is kept parallel to the bottom of the cassette to maintain constant angle, then angle variation is prevented, but the apparatus size increases due to 180-degree sheet turning
Solution Approach 1:
The holder plate inclination is made dynamic rather than fixed parallel. By allowing controlled angular variation through the coordinating system, the design eliminates the need for large 180-degree sheet turning mechanisms, thereby reducing apparatus volume while maintaining feeding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining the holder plate strictly parallel to the cassette bottom (one-dimensional constraint), the coordinating system introduces angular adjustment as an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional change allows the topmost sheet to reach the feed roller directly at optimized angles, eliminating the need for large curved feeding paths.
3Ease of operation
If guide grooves with less acute inclination are used to guide the further side of the holder plate, then the holder plate can be uplifted, but the angle of the topmost sheet with respect to the feed roller is not specifically adjustable, causing irregular feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinating system dynamically adjusts the holder plate angle during operation, transforming the static guide groove configuration into an adaptable mechanism. This enables specific angle adjustment for the topmost sheet while maintaining the ease of uplift operation provided by the guide grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder plate inclination angle is changed from a fixed parameter determined solely by guide groove geometry to a variable parameter that can be specifically adjusted. The coordinating system enables real-time modification of the angle parameter while preserving the operational simplicity of the uplift mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet holder to hold a sheet in a position to be fed, a feed roller to pick up the sheet, a first lifter to move a closer portion of the sheet holder by one of a front end and a rear end thereof, a second lifter to move a further portion of the sheet holder by one of a front end and a rear end thereof, and a coordinating system to move the first lifter and the second lifter in cooperation with each other to move the overall sheet holder in a direction to be closer to the feed roller, wherein an amount of the sheet holder to be moved by the first lifter is greater according to a constant rate with respect to an amount of the sheet holder to be moved by the second lifter.