Sheet Holding Mechanism for Bounce-Free Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices face issues with sheet bounce due to impact from alignment plates, requiring high-performance motors to control conveyance speed, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a sheet holding mechanism that includes an alignment roller and a sheet holding roller, where the alignment roller aligns the sheet against an alignment plate, and the sheet holding roller prevents movement away from the plate using a one-way clutch and elastic body, eliminating the need for high-performance motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sheet conveyance speed is slowed down by controlling motor rotation to prevent sheet bounce, then sheet alignment precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase due to high-performance motor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet holding mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the alignment plate and the sheet. This mechanism includes a holding roller that contacts the sheet and a spring that applies holding force, preventing the sheet from bouncing away from the alignment plate without requiring high-performance motor control
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded sheet holding mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by continuously applying a holding force to the sheet during the alignment process. This prevents the sheet from bouncing when it contacts the alignment plate, eliminating the need for complex motor speed control
2Reliability
If the sheet conveyance speed is reduced before alignment, then sheet bounce is prevented, but conveyance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet holding mechanism acts as a mediator that maintains sheet positioning stability during alignment without requiring speed reduction. The holding roller with spring applies continuous force to prevent bounce, allowing the conveyance roller to maintain normal operating speed
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment process is segmented into two independent functions: the conveyance roller maintains normal conveyance speed, while the sheet holding mechanism separately provides bounce prevention through spring force. This segmentation allows efficiency and reliability to be optimized independently
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
Accurate sheet alignment is achieved without expensive motors, preventing sheet bounce and ensuring precise positioning for image formation, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that extends in a sheet width direction and applies a holding force to the sheet in a sheet conveying state
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a sheet conveyance path, a conveyance roller, an alignment plate, an alignment roller, and a sheet holding mechanism. The conveyance roller conveys a sheet along the sheet conveyance path. The alignment plate is provided at one end of the sheet conveyance path in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of the sheet and in parallel with the direction of conveyance of the sheet and aligns a position of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance. The alignment roller rotates in the direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance while making contact with the sheet present in the sheet conveyance path, thus bringing the sheet into abutment on the alignment plate. The sheet holding mechanism makes contact from above with the sheet present in the sheet conveyance path to hold the sheet against movement away from the alignment plate.