Sheet Width Guide Gear Structure for Compact Feed Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet supply apparatuses face challenges in downsizing due to complex structures and numerous parts, particularly in the regulation guide mechanism, which affects the overall size and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supply apparatus with regulation guides that utilize a supporting body and a rotating body with engaging teeth parts, allowing for downsizing by preventing backlash through elastic displacement of parts, ensuring accurate positioning and uniform operation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complicated structure with multiple rack arms and pressing units is used, then the regulation guide can be accurately positioned, but the device size increases and downsizing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pressing units into a single integrated pressing unit that can press multiple rack arms simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of components and overall device size while maintaining the ability to accurately position the regulation guide through coordinated pressing action on multiple rack arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pressing unit is designed to perform multiple functions by pressing multiple rack arms at different positions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pressing units for each rack arm, thereby reducing device complexity and size while preserving positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple rack arms and pressing units are used, then the regulation guide can be accurately positioned, but the number of parts increases making downsizing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressing units into one unified pressing unit that interacts with multiple rack arms. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts while maintaining positioning accuracy through the coordinated action of the single pressing unit on multiple rack arms simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation guide is segmented into multiple rack arms that can be independently positioned, while the pressing unit remains unified. This segmentation allows precise positioning of each rack arm while avoiding the complexity of having separate pressing units for each arm.
3Reliability
If pressing means is disposed on the rack part, then backlash between rack part and pinion gear is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing means is integrated into the rack arm structure itself, combining the pressing function with the rack arm component. This integration prevents backlash between the rack part and pinion gear while avoiding the addition of separate pressing mechanisms that would increase structural complexity.
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 the apparatus to be downsized while maintaining precise sheet width regulation and uniform operation force, enhancing the efficiency and compactness of the sheet supply mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating body (431) having elastic and inelastic teeth parts (435a, 435b)
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supply apparatus includes a tray on which a sheet is to be placed, a regulation guide, a supporting body, and a rotating body. The regulation guide is disposed to the tray and regulates a side end of the sheet in a width direction when the sheet is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The supporting body includes a first teeth part and moves in the width direction together with the regulation guide. The rotating body includes a second teeth part engaging with the first teeth part of the supporting body and rotates with movement of the supporting body. The second teeth part is displaced to the rotating body based on a position of the regulation guide.