Sheet Feeding Device with Movable Separating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices struggle to suitably separate and convey recording media of different characteristics, such as low-rigidity plain papers and high-rigidity photograph sheets, due to varying separation resistances and potential damage from unsuitable resistance settings, especially when using inclined surface separation systems.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with a separating member that moves forwards and backwards along an inclined surface while maintaining a constant inclining angle, applying varying separation resistance based on the rigidity of the recording media, ensuring stable separation regardless of the media's characteristics or stack amount, using a combination of a sheet feeding roller, inclined member, and a separating member with a movable projection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common inclined surface separation system is used for recording media of different characteristics, then the device structure is simple, but the separation performance varies and cannot suitably separate different types of media
Solution Approach 1:
The separating member is designed to be movable along the inclined surface rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the characteristics of the recording media. This dynamic adjustment enables the same device to adaptively separate different types of media (plain papers, photograph sheets, etc.) with varying rigidity, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable separation performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the separating member is made movable along the inclined surface, then the separation adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable separating member utilizes the natural movement and positioning of recording media on the inclined surface to achieve separation. The system leverages the existing mechanical flow of media through the inclined surface, allowing the separating member to automatically adjust and position itself without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thus achieving high adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Device complexity
If a fixed separating member is used, then the device complexity is low, but the separation resistance cannot be adjusted for different media rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The separating member transitions from a fixed state to a movable state along the inclined surface, enabling it to dynamically adjust its position and the resulting separation resistance. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different media rigidity levels (plain papers vs. photograph sheets) while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, resolving the contradiction between low complexity and high adaptability.
4Reliability
If excessive separation resistance is applied to photograph sheets, then the separation effectiveness improves, but the coating surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The movable separating member allows the system to dynamically adjust separation resistance based on the specific characteristics of the recording media. When photograph sheets with coating surfaces are detected, the separating member automatically positions itself to provide gentler separation force, preventing coating damage while maintaining effective separation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between separation effectiveness and prevention of harmful effects.
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 effective separation and conveyance of recording media according to their characteristics, preventing damage to high-rigidity sheets and maintaining consistent separation resistance across varying stack levels, ensuring reliable operation with different types of recording media.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet feeding roller which comes in contact with the uppermost layer of the recording media contained in the tray, and rotates to feed the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
an inclined member including an inclined surface which is positioned on a downstream side in a feeding direction of the recording media, and inclined at an obtuse angle to the feeding direction of the recording media, and on which the fed recording medium abuts
Implementation Method 3
a separating member having an uneven surface, to separate the one fed recording medium, wherein the separating member is configured to be movable between a position projecting to the inclined member and a position retreated from the projecting position
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a sheet feeding device which feeds a plurality of stacked sheet-like recording media one by one from a tray containing the recording media, including a sheet feeding roller which comes in contact with the uppermost layer of the recording media contained in the tray, and rotates to feed the recording medium; an inclined member including an inclined surface which is positioned on a downstream side in a feeding direction of the recording media, and inclined at an obtuse angle to the feeding direction of the recording media, and on which the fed recording media abuts; and a separating member having an uneven surface, to separate the one fed recording medium, wherein the separating member is configured to be movable between a position projecting to the inclined member and a position retreated from the projecting position, while maintaining the same inclining angle as that of the inclined member.