Sheet Feeding Skew Correction via Preliminary Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air sheet feeding apparatuses experience significant sheet skewing issues due to fluctuations in sheet posture during the transition from a stacked state to being sucked by the conveying section, leading to inaccuracies in image registration, particularly in the print on demand field where precise positional accuracy is critical.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus equipped with a suction and conveyance section, an air blowing section to float sheets, and a skew correction section that includes conveying rollers and detection sensors to control and correct skew by adjusting the conveying speed and position of the suction section, ensuring accurate sheet alignment before reaching the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air blowing is used to float and separate sheets from the stack, then sheet feeding capability is improved, but sheet skewing increases due to fluctuations in sheet posture during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The suction and conveyance section performs preliminary action by sucking and holding the sheet in a predetermined position before the sheet fully transitions from the stacked state. This preliminary suction stabilizes the sheet posture during the floating transition, preventing skewing while maintaining the productivity benefits of air blowing sheet separation
Solution Approach 2:
The suction and conveyance section acts as an intermediary between the air blowing separation mechanism and the image forming apparatus. It mediates the sheet transition by providing continuous suction support during the posture fluctuation period, ensuring the sheet maintains proper alignment throughout the transition process
2Productivity
If suction and conveyance section is positioned close to the sheet stack for efficient feeding, then feeding efficiency is improved, but sheet posture fluctuation increases causing skewing
Solution Approach 1:
The suction and conveyance section is positioned to perform preliminary suction action before the sheet completes its transition from the stack. This timing allows the section to be close to the stack for efficient feeding while simultaneously providing stabilizing suction to prevent posture fluctuation and skewing
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 reduces sheet skewing, enhancing the accuracy of image registration and feeding performance, preventing issues like buckling or wrinkling, especially for sheets of varying sizes and types, thereby improving the reliability of the air sheet feeding apparatus in the print on demand field.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing section which blows air at the stacked sheets on the sheet loading tray and causes the sheet to float up
Implementation Method 2
a suction and conveyance section which is placed above stacked sheets on the sheet loading tray and sucks and conveys a sheet in the sheet conveying direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus which includes a sheet loading tray for stacking sheets; a suction and conveyance section which is placed above stacked sheets on the sheet loading tray and sucks and conveys a sheet in the sheet conveying direction; an air blowing section which blows air at the stacked sheets on the sheet loading tray and causes the sheet to float up; and a skew correction section which corrects a skew of the sheet conveyed by the suction and conveyance section.