Sheet Feeding Regulator Overlap for Small-Document Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices and image forming apparatuses struggle with oblique movement of small-sized documents due to guide portions that are not adaptable to varying document widths, leading to feeding issues and potential image tilting.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeding device with movable regulating units on both primary and secondary supporting portions, allowing documents of different widths to be stacked in parallel, with the secondary regulating unit overlapping the first unit to maintain alignment and prevent oblique movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a guide portion fixed to the auxiliary sheet feeding tray is used to guide small-sized documents, then documents can be fed through the auxiliary tray, but oblique movement of the sheet occurs when the document width is smaller than the guide portion width
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is made movable in the sheet widthwise direction rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to match different document widths. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the guide to adapt to various document sizes while maintaining proper alignment, thus achieving both versatility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the guide portion is changed as a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to document width. By making the guide position adjustable rather than fixed, the system can accommodate different document sizes without causing oblique movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and alignment precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple documents of different widths are stacked in parallel on first and second document stands, then scanning capability is expanded, but side ends of small-sized documents are improperly guided by fixed guide portions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion on the second document stand is made movable to dynamically adjust to different document widths. This ensures that small-sized documents are properly guided without oblique movement, maintaining feeding stability while preserving the capability to scan multiple document sizes in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide position parameter is made adjustable to match different document widths. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to maintain reliable feeding stability for various document sizes while keeping the parallel stacking capability intact.
3Device complexity
If a fixed guide portion is used on the auxiliary tray, then the structure remains simple, but oblique movement occurs causing image tilting and conveyance defects
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed with movable capability rather than being completely fixed, providing a balance between structural simplicity and alignment precision. The guide can move to accommodate different document widths while maintaining edge alignment, resolving the contradiction without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes a first supporter supporting a first sheet, a first regulator regulating a position of the first sheet supported by the first supporter in a widthwise direction, a second supporter and a second regulator. The second supporter is provided above the first supporter and support a second sheet, of which a length in the widthwise direction is shorter than that of the first sheet, in a state in which the first supporter supports the first sheet. The second regulator regulates a position of the second sheet in the widthwise direction. A feeder feeds the first sheet and the second sheet in a feeding direction. As viewed in the feeding direction, the second regulator is disposed so that at least a part of the second regulator is overlapped with the first regulator.