Sheet Feeding Apparatus with Restriction Members for Coated Paper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feeding apparatuses face difficulties in simultaneously achieving settability and separation performance, especially when handling coated paper or cardboard sheets, due to the complexity of structures required to manage sheet separation and feeding.

Innovation Solution

A sheet feeding apparatus with a supporting portion, an air blower unit, and side end regulating members, including movable and fixed restriction members, that blow air to separate sheets and regulate their position to prevent excessive floating, thereby enhancing settability and separation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air blowing is used to separate sheets, then sheet separation performance is improved, but sheets may float excessively and settability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separation performanceVSAvoidsettability of sheets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction portions are provided to prevent excessive floating of sheets before it occurs. By positioning these restriction portions at strategic locations, the apparatus preemptively counteracts the harmful effect of air blowing causing sheets to float too high, thus maintaining both separation performance and settability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sheet feeding apparatus have different functions: air blowing regions promote separation while restriction portions in specific locations prevent excessive floating. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both sheet separation and controlled settling by applying different actions to different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple restriction portions are provided to enhance sheet separation, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separation performanceVSAvoidstructure of restriction portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction function is divided into multiple discrete restriction portions positioned at different locations. Each restriction portion independently contributes to preventing excessive floating, and their distributed arrangement achieves comprehensive sheet control without requiring any single component to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If restriction portions are made retractable to improve sheet settability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesettability of sheetsVSAvoidretractable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making restriction portions retractable to achieve settability, the invention inverts the approach by providing multiple fixed restriction portions at strategically different positions. This inverted strategy achieves the same settability improvement without requiring complex retractable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 apparatus achieves stable sheet feeding and separation with a simple configuration, effectively handling smooth sheets like coated paper by reducing adhesive forces and preventing excessive floating, ensuring reliable sheet conveyance.

Implementation Method 1

an air blower unit configured to blow air to separate the sheets supported on the supporting portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

a first restriction member movable to a protruding position and to a retracting position, the protruding position being a position where the first restriction member protrudes inward in the sheet width direction with respect to the regulating surface such that the first restriction member restricts excessive floating of the sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical restriction:

Implementation Method 3

a second restriction member disposed downstream of the first restriction member in the feeding direction, the second restriction member being fixed to a position where the second restriction member protrudes inward in the sheet width direction with respect to the regulating surface so as to restrict the excessive floating of the sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical restriction:

Data Source

PatentUS20230382671A1Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 CANON KK

AI summary

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a supporting portion configured to support sheets, a feeding member configured to feed the sheets, an air blower unit configured to blow air to separate the sheets, and a side end regulating member including a regulating surface, an air outlet port through which the air from the air blower unit is blown out, a first restriction member movable to a protruding position and to a retracting position, and a second restriction member disposed downstream of the first restriction member in the feeding direction, the second restriction member being fixed to a position where the second restriction member protrudes inward in the sheet width direction with respect to the regulating surface so as to restrict the excessive floating of the sheets.