Sheet Inlet and Outlet Deflector for Preventing Sheet Re-Ingestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flexibility of sheets can lead to malfunctions in sheet transport apparatuses, such as multiple processing of the same sheet or lack of processing of another sheet, due to sheets following unexpected trajectories and reinserting into the inlet after exiting the outlet, causing issues like jamming.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexible and resilient device, such as a spring, connected to the ceiling of the sheet outlet that partially obstructs the path, which bends and redirects sheets to prevent re-ingestion into the inlet, using its flexibility and resilience to guide sheets away from the inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sheets are made flexible to permit various transportation paths, then design freedom and versatility are improved, but sheets may follow unexpected trajectories and reinsert into inlet causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
A deflectors assembly is introduced as an intermediary element between the outlet and inlet. The deflector includes a body with a leading face that contacts exiting sheets and a trailing face that directs them away from the inlet. This mediator physically intercepts sheets that might otherwise curl back and re-enter the inlet, resolving the reliability issue while preserving design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector is positioned to preemptively intercept sheets as they exit the outlet, before they can follow an unexpected trajectory back to the inlet. By applying a guiding force in the opposite direction of potential re-ingestion, the system prevents the harmful effect before it can occur.
2Device complexity
If sheet outlet is positioned near sheet inlet to compact device, then device complexity and size are reduced, but sheets may be accidentally re-ingested causing multiple processing or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors assembly serves as a physical barrier and guide between the outlet and inlet regions. Even when these regions are positioned close together for device compactness, the deflector intercepts sheets exiting the outlet and directs them along a controlled path away from the inlet, preventing accidental re-ingestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector operates in a spatial dimension perpendicular to the main sheet transport path. By positioning the deflector's leading face to contact sheets and its trailing face to direct them away, the system uses three-dimensional spatial arrangement to prevent re-ingestion without increasing the overall device footprint.
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 flexible and resilient device effectively prevents sheets from re-ingesting into the inlet, reducing malfunctions and jamming risks while maintaining efficient sheet transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and resilient device, such as a spring
Data Source
AI summary
Examples include a sheet transport apparatus comprising a sheet inlet facing a specific side of the apparatus. The sheet transport apparatus also comprises a sheet outlet facing the specific side of the apparatus and located below the sheet inlet, the sheet outlet comprising a ceiling between the sheet outlet and the sheet inlet. The sheet transport apparatus further comprises a sheet driving mechanism configured for driving a sheet of media on a media path from the sheet inlet to the sheet outlet, and a flexible and resilient device connected to the ceiling and partially obstructing the sheet outlet.