Sheet Feeding Apparatus Stopper Alignment Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
In existing sheet feeding apparatuses, when the abutment guide retreats, a stack of sheets may collide with the stopper block, causing some sheets to become out of alignment, leading to multiple sheets being fed at once, which can result in misalignment and inefficient conveying.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding apparatus is designed with a support member, feed roller, separation roller, separator, stopper, and restriction member, where the stopper is configured to gradually contact the separator, preventing collisions and ensuring sheets are aligned and conveyed sequentially by slowly moving the stopper to the second position, with the restriction member holding the stopper in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the abutment guide retreats quickly to its retreat position, then the sheet feeding speed is improved, but the sheets may collide with the stopper block causing misalignment and multiple sheets to be fed at once
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the inclined stopper block with graduated steps) between the abutment guide and the sheets. This intermediary gradually guides the sheets from the stacked position to the aligned position, preventing direct collision and ensuring precise alignment even during rapid retreat of the abutment guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper block is designed with a dynamic inclined surface that changes its effective position as sheets are fed. The stopper block moves from blocking the stacked sheets to allowing aligned sheets to pass, adapting its function dynamically during the sheet feeding process to maintain precision while enabling high-speed operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the stopper block is positioned to align sheets effectively, then sheet alignment is improved, but the risk of sheets colliding and becoming out of alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper block is segmented into multiple graduated steps or levels. Each step provides a different degree of support and guidance for the sheets, allowing the system to handle sheets in a staged manner. This segmentation prevents sudden collisions by distributing the alignment process across multiple levels, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface of the stopper block acts as a cushioning mechanism that prepares sheets for alignment before they reach the critical positioning point. By gradually guiding sheets onto the inclined surface, the system cushions against potential collisions and ensures smooth, collision-free alignment, improving consistent single-sheet feeding.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a support member having a support surface, a feed roller rotatable about a rotation axis located below a portion of the support surface, a separation roller disposed downstream from the feed roller, a separator disposed upstream from the separation roller, a stopper, when viewed in a direction of the rotation axis, disposed at least partially overlapping the separator and movable between a first position in which the stopper crosses the support surface and restricts leading edges of the sheets supported on the support surface and a second position, downstream from the first position in a conveying direction, in which the stopper is spaced apart from the support surface, and a restriction member configured to hold the stopper in the first position and to restrict movement of the stopper while continuing to support the stopper moving from the first position to the second position.