Sheet Feeding Unit With Independent Cover And Restriction Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feeding mechanisms in image reading and forming devices often damage the sheet restriction member due to lack of stress release mechanisms, leading to disorganization of sheets and complications in device compactness.

Innovation Solution

A sheet feeding unit with a restriction member and adjuster that switches between sheet restriction and feeding states, utilizing a cover with a retaining force to release stress when the sheet stack presses the member, allowing the sheet to feed without damaging the restriction member and enabling a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sheet restriction member is provided to an openably closable cover, then the sheet can be restricted from advancing to the separation portion, but the stacked sheets on the document table get disorganized when the cover is opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet restriction functionVSAvoidsheet stack organization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet feeding device is divided into functionally independent modules: the cover assembly for access, the sheet restriction member for controlling sheet advancement, and the sheet feed member for feeding sheets. This segmentation allows the restriction member to remain stationary and maintain sheet organization while the cover can be opened independently for maintenance or sheet loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet restriction member is extracted from the cover structure and positioned as a separate component between the document table and separation portion. This extraction allows the cover to be opened without moving the restriction member, preventing sheet disorganization while maintaining the restriction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the sheet restriction member is provided to an openably closable cover, then the sheet can be restricted from advancing to the separation portion, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet restriction functionVSAvoidcover and restriction member integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet restriction member is extracted from the cover assembly and positioned as an independent component mounted on the main body. This separation simplifies the cover structure to only include opening/closing functionality, while the restriction member becomes a standalone element that can be easily maintained and replaced without disassembling the cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of integrating the restriction member into the moving cover, the invention inverts the approach by fixing the restriction member to the stationary main body and making the cover independently openable. This inversion simplifies the mechanical linkage and reduces the complexity of coordinated movements between cover and restriction member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a large number of sheets is fed, then the sheet stack presses the sheet restriction member with large force, but the sheet restriction member may be damaged due to overstress without a release mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet feeding capacityVSAvoidsheet restriction member durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet restriction member is designed with dynamic characteristics including elastic deformation capability and stress release mechanisms. The member can flexibly deform under large sheet stack pressure and automatically release stress when the cover is opened or when sheet pressure decreases, preventing permanent damage while accommodating high-volume sheet feeding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the rotary shaft of the sheet restriction member is disposed substantially above the pick-up roller, then the rotary shaft can engage the groove for regulation, but efforts to make the device compact are complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet restriction regulationVSAvoiddevice compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary shaft and groove engagement mechanism is extracted from the traditional vertical arrangement and repositioned in a horizontally extended configuration. This extraction allows the restriction member to be regulated by the pick-up roller while maintaining a compact overall device footprint, as the regulation mechanism extends laterally rather than requiring vertical space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8382095B2Sheet feeding unit, image reading device including same, and image forming apparatus including the image reading device with independent cover and restriction member

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet feeding unit has a main body, a sheet stack portion attached to the main body to accommodate a stack of sheets, a sheet feeding device disposed substantially above the sheet stack portion to feed the sheet onward, which is movable between a sheet feeding position at which the sheet feeding device contacts the sheet and feeds the sheet onward and a separating position at which the sheet feeding device separates from the sheet and does not feed the sheet onward, a separation unit to separate the sheets, a restriction member disposed between the sheet feeding device and the separation unit and is switchable between a sheet feeding state when the sheet feeding device is at the sheet feeding position and a sheet restriction state when the sheet feeding device is at the separation position, and a cover openably closable relative to the main body and constituted as an independent member.