Sheet Feeding Device Manual Bypass Guide Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices for image forming apparatuses face complexity due to the need for a mechanism to drive the feed roller to rock and sliding upper and lower slide plates, which complicates the structure and can lead to double feeding issues and difficulties in handling non-standard sheets like envelopes or cardboard.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a single feed roller that uses a sheet stacking member capable of vertical movement, a nip portion formed by a feed roller and separation member, a sheet guide portion, and a manual bypass guide member that can deform vertically to guide sheets from both the cassette and manual bypass tray to the nip portion, preventing double feeding and ensuring secure output of non-standard sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single feed roller is used to send out sheets from both the sheet feed cassette and manual bypass tray, then device complexity is reduced, but double feeding of sheets may occur
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the manual bypass tray and the feed roller. This guide member selectively engages with sheets from the manual bypass tray to prevent them from reaching the feed roller, thereby preventing double feeding while maintaining the simplicity of using a single feed roller for both feeding sources
2Adaptability or versatility
If upper and lower slide plates are used to lift the feed roller for manual bypass feeding, then the feed roller can handle both cassette and manual sheets, but the mechanism becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The complex slide plate mechanism that lifts the feed roller is completely removed from the system. Instead, the feed roller remains in a fixed position and simply rotates to feed sheets. The adaptability for handling both cassette and manual bypass sheets is achieved through the guide member that selectively directs sheets to the feed roller, eliminating the need for mechanical lifting while maintaining versatility
3Ease of operation
If the feed roller is lifted up to feed sheets from the manual bypass tray, then sheets can be sent out from the manual tray, but the structure becomes more complicated with slide plates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a mediator that enables manual bypass feeding without requiring the feed roller to move. The guide member selectively blocks or directs sheets from the manual bypass tray, allowing the feed roller to remain stationary while still achieving easy operation for feeding both cassette and manual 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 simplifies the structure by using a single feed roller to prevent double feeding and securely send sheets from both the cassette and manual bypass tray, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of sheet handling.
Implementation Method 1
a manual bypass guide member which extends from the manual bypass sheet feeder so that a tip portion thereof is disposed between the sheet guide portion and the nip portion, and is capable of being deformed vertically so as to guide a manual bypass sheet toward the nip portion
Implementation Method 2
a nip portion formed by a feed roller and a separation member pressed to the feed roller
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes a sheet guide portion (37) disposed upstream of a nip portion (N) so as to guide a leading edge of a sheet sent from a sheet storing portion (22) to the nip portion (N), and a manual bypass guide member which extends from a manual bypass sheet feeder (41) and has a leading edge portion disposed between the sheet guide portion (37) and the nip portion (N) and can be elastically deformed in up and down direction so as to guide a manual bypass sheet to the nip portion (N). The manual bypass sheet is guided by the manual bypass guide member toward the nip portion (N) and is sent out by the feed roller (30) to a sheet transport path.