Sheet Feeding Apparatus with Dynamic Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeding apparatuses face difficulties in reliably separating and supplying sheets of varying sizes, thicknesses, and weights due to complex settings required for accurate separation, leading to issues like double feed and misfeed.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a conveying belt and suction unit, featuring airflow holes and a reciprocating lifting plate that adjusts intake holes to control suction force, ensuring reliable separation and conveyance of sheets by altering the attracting force and sheet position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sheet feeding apparatuses use fixed suction force and position, then the structure is simple, but sheets of varying sizes, thicknesses, and weights cannot be reliably separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the suction force and sheet position adjustable rather than fixed. The lifting plate moves vertically to change the position of the intake hole relative to the sheet stack, and the suction force is dynamically controlled based on sheet characteristics. This dynamic adjustment enables reliable separation of sheets with varying sizes, thicknesses, and weights without requiring an overly complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by adjusting the vertical position of the intake hole through the lifting plate mechanism and modifying the suction force magnitude. These parameter changes allow the system to adapt to different sheet characteristics (size, thickness, weight) and achieve reliable separation while maintaining reasonable device complexity through direct physical adjustment rather than complex electronic control.
2Reliability
If the suction force is strong, then sheet conveyance is reliable, but sheets may be damaged or misfeed occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic adjustment of suction force to match the actual needs of different sheets. Instead of using constantly strong suction that causes damage, the system adjusts suction strength based on sheet characteristics and conveyance stage, reducing harmful effects while maintaining reliable conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting plate operates periodically, moving between positions to open and close the intake hole. This periodic action creates cycles of suction and release, allowing the system to grip sheets reliably during suction phases while releasing them for discharge, preventing damage from continuous strong suction.
3Productivity
If the intake hole is always open, then sheet feeding is continuous, but suction force cannot be adjusted for different sheet types
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting plate provides dynamic control of the intake hole position, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet types while maintaining continuous feeding capability. The plate can be positioned to optimize suction for specific sheet characteristics without interrupting the overall feeding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the lifting plate to the appropriate position before engaging suction for different sheet types. This preliminary action enables rapid adaptation to varying sheet characteristics while maintaining continuous operational flow.
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
Enables reliable separation and supply of sheets one by one, regardless of size or weight differences, by dynamically adjusting the suction force and sheet position, thereby reducing misfeed and double feed occurrences.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit that is arranged on a back surface side, which is the opposite side of the conveying surface of the conveying belt, and in which a first intake hole that sucks the sheet via the airflow holes is formed
Implementation Method 2
at least one conveying belt that conveys an uppermost or lowermost sheet of a sheet stack placed on a conveying surface in a feed out direction and in which a plurality of airflow holes are formed
Data Source
AI summary
Perforated endless conveying belts are stretched between drive and idle rollers. A suction box is arranged between upper and lower belt portions of the perforated endless conveying belts. Abutment members are attached to positions of a support corresponding to the perforated endless conveying belts and pressed against the perforated endless conveying belts. The upstream of the suction box from the abutment members forms an attracting area, and intake holes are formed therein. Lifting plates extend to at least an intake hole range of the attracting area between the perforated endless conveying belts. The lifting plates move between a first position to vertically open the intake holes and project from conveying surfaces of the perforated endless conveying belts and a second position to close the intake holes and retract from the conveying surfaces of the perforated endless conveying belts.