Sheet Feeding Apparatus with Separate Rotary Roller and Force Applying Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding apparatuses face challenges in handling sheets of varying sizes and grammage due to the oblique pickup roller configuration, which can cause skewing and damage during conveyance, and the shear deformation between the sheet conveyance unit and load member.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus with a rotary feeding member, a regulating portion, and a force applying portion that contact the sheet separately to apply feeding and turning forces, reducing skewing by aligning the sheet edges with the side regulating guides, and using an obliquely conveying roller to manage sheet orientation and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pickup roller is positioned obliquely to feed sheets and press against side guide plates, then sheet skewing is reduced and feeding function is achieved, but the apparatus cannot handle sheets with wide variety of grammage or sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sheet handling function into separate components: a pickup roller for feeding sheets and a separate pressing member for applying pressure against the side guide plate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the pickup roller can be positioned obliquely for precise alignment while the pressing member can be adjusted to accommodate different sheet types, thereby resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and adaptability.
2Force
If a load member is arranged between sheet regulation member and sheet conveyance unit to apply load, then sheet conveyance is achieved, but shear deformation damages the sheet during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a separate pressing member as an intermediary component that applies pressure to the sheet at a different location and in a different manner than the load member. This pressing member works in coordination with the side guide plate to stabilize the sheet without creating the shear deformation caused by the load member's positioning between the regulation member and conveyance unit, thus reducing sheet damage while maintaining conveyance effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a single pickup roller performs both feeding and pressing functions, then device complexity is reduced, but feeding reliability for diverse sheets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the feeding mechanism into a pickup roller dedicated to sheet pickup and conveyance, and a separate pressing member dedicated to applying pressure against the side guide plate. This segmentation enhances feeding reliability for diverse sheet types by allowing independent optimization of each component's characteristics and positioning, while the overall device complexity remains manageable through the coordinated simplicity of these two specialized components.
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 effectively feeds sheets of diverse sizes and grammage while minimizing skewing and damage, allowing for independent adjustment of feeding and turning forces to prevent excessive pressure on the sheet, enhancing the versatility and reliability of the sheet feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
a pickup roller, which contacts a sheet and feeds the sheet in a sheet feeding direction
Implementation Method 2
a friction member that contacts the sheet and applies force to turn the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion, a rotary feeding member configured to feed the sheet, a regulating portion configured to regulate a position of the edge portion, and a force applying portion that is provided separately from the rotary feeding member. The force applying portion contacts the sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion upstream in a conveyance direction of the rotary feeding member and applies a force to turn the sheet fed by the rotary feeding member.