Sheet Feeding Device Space Forming Bevel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet material feeding devices struggle to reliably separate sheet materials of different rigidities, often resulting in double feed or non-feed phenomena due to inadequate load application, leading to apparatus upsizing and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A sheet material feeding device with a separating bevel featuring a space-forming mechanism that reduces peak loads by allowing sheet materials to escape into a formed space, and a movable second and third separating bevels to adjust load based on material rigidity, ensuring reliable separation without apparatus enlargement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the angle of the inclined plane is made steeper to increase the load for separating low-rigidity papers, then the separation reliability for normal papers is improved, but the non-feed phenomenon occurs more easily with high-rigidity papers like photo papers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a space forming member that forms a space on a specific portion of the inclined plane in the area opposing the pickup roller. This localized modification allows the sheet material to escape into the space, reducing the peak load at the separating bevel for high-rigidity papers while maintaining the steep angle configuration for effective separation of low-rigidity papers. The space forming member is positioned specifically where the load is highest to provide targeted load reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inclined plane by introducing a space forming member that divides the contact area into regions. The space forming member creates a distinct zone where the sheet material can escape, separating the high-load area from the rest of the inclined plane. This segmentation allows different portions of the inclined plane to serve different functions: maintaining steep angle separation while providing load reduction through the space formation.
2Ease of operation
If the angle of the inclined plane is reduced to decrease the load for high-rigidity papers, then the non-feed phenomenon is prevented, but the separation reliability for low-rigidity papers deteriorates due to insufficient load
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the overall angle of the inclined plane, the patent applies local quality by maintaining the steep angle configuration while creating a localized space on the inclined plane. The space forming member provides the necessary load reduction for high-rigidity papers specifically in the area where the pickup roller contacts the sheet material, while the rest of the inclined plane maintains its steep angle for effective separation of low-rigidity papers.
3Reliability
If the distance between the separating bevel and the pickup roller is increased to allow easy deformation for high-rigidity papers, then the separation for photo papers is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by forming a space in the inclined plane rather than increasing the distance along the feeding direction. The space forming member creates a three-dimensional structure that provides escape path for the sheet material, allowing deformation to occur within the existing apparatus footprint. This approach achieves the necessary deformation space for high-rigidity papers without requiring increased distance between components, thus avoiding apparatus upsizing.
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 enables highly reliable separation of sheet materials with different rigidities, preventing double feed and non-feed issues, while downsizing the apparatus for space-saving and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pickup roller that feeds the sheet material toward the separating bevel by coming into contact with the topmost sheet material from among the sheet materials supported by the supporting unit and being rotated thereon
Implementation Method 2
a space forming member that forms a space on part of the inclined plane in an area opposing the pickup roller in the feeding direction for letting part of the sheet material escape in the feeding direction
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feeding device having a paper cassette configured to support a plurality of the papers in a stacked manner, a separating bevel having an inclined plane inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a supporting surface of the paper cassette and configured to separate the paper coming into abutment with the inclined plane, a pickup roller configured to feed the paper toward the separating bevel by coming into contact with the topmost paper from among the papers supported by the paper cassette and being rotated thereon, and a space forming unit configured to form a space S for letting part of the paper to escape in the feeding direction on part of the inclined plane in the area opposing the pickup roller in the feeding direction is employed.