Sheet Flipping Device Electrostatic Discharge Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet flipping devices struggle with rolling out floppy sheets with low stiffness, leading to disordered stacks and paper jams due to incorrect orientation and jamming issues.

Innovation Solution

A sheet flipping device with a discharge element featuring multiple electrodes adjacent to the flipping volume, where the electrodes have sharp ends and are connected to earth potential, improving sheet orientation and reducing jamming risks by guiding sheets without physical contact, and optionally incorporating pin-electrodes or fiber organs for flexibility and airflow assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flipping wheel with slits and abutment is used to stack sheets, then sheets can be flipped and stacked, but floppy sheets with low stiffness do not roll out correctly, resulting in disordered stacks or paper jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet rolling out reliabilityVSAvoidsheet discharge quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical abutment-based discharge system with an electrostatic discharge element system. Multiple electrodes generate electrostatic fields that interact with the sheets during the flipping process, providing a non-contact force to guide and control the rolling out of sheets, particularly effective for floppy sheets with low stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrostatic parameters (electric field strength, electrode voltage, electrode configuration) to control the sheet discharge process. By adjusting these electrical parameters, the system can adapt to different sheet types and stiffness levels, ensuring reliable rolling out without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple electrodes with sharp ends are positioned towards the flipping volume, then sheet orientation and roll out reliability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet orientation reliabilityVSAvoiddischarge element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge element is segmented into multiple individual electrodes arranged in an array. Each electrode can be independently positioned and configured with sharp ends pointing toward the flipping volume. This segmentation allows the system to create a distributed electrostatic field that effectively guides sheet orientation and roll out while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular electrode design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the discharge element is electrically connected to earth potential, then sheet collapsing during roll out is reduced, but additional electrical connection requirements increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet stability during roll outVSAvoidelectrical connection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge element is connected to earth potential, creating an equipotential reference that stabilizes the electrostatic field during sheet discharge. This earth connection provides a stable reference potential that prevents sheet collapsing during roll out by ensuring consistent electrostatic interaction, while the simplicity of using earth ground minimizes the added electrical connection complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 significantly enhances the reliability of sheet flipping by ensuring proper orientation and reducing jamming, even with floppy sheets, through improved discharge mechanisms and adaptable electrode positioning, resulting in a more orderly stack and reduced device blockages.

Implementation Method 1

multiple electrodes having an end portion extending in a direction towards the flipping volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field interaction: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

the discharge element is electrically connected to earth potential. It has been observed that a connection to earth of the discharge element reduces the risk of collapsing sheets during roll out

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS7963521B2Sheet flipping device

Publication Date: 2011.06.21 CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING NETHERLANDS BV

AI summary

A sheet flipping device including a receiving member for receiving a sheet, a flipping volume defined by the flipping movement of the sheet when in operation, a flipping element for flipping the sheet around an axis of rotation within the flipping volume onto the receiving member, and a discharge element arranged adjacent to said flipping volume, the discharge element having a base extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis of rotation and having multiple electrodes with an end portion extending in a direction towards the flipping volume. The sheet flipping device is useable in a sheet stacking device and an image reproduction apparatus.