Offset Elastic Pieces in Sheet Discharge Rollers for Compact Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet discharging devices are difficult to make compact in the up-down direction due to the positioning of the first rotation shaft and discharging roller body upward relative to the second rotation shaft, and the configuration of the contacting flag member extending downward, which hinders compactness.

Innovation Solution

A sheet discharging device with a lower sheet guide, discharging roller, and elastic pieces that are positioned downward relative to the upper surface, featuring a shaft and roller body, and elastic pieces protruding in the discharging direction, with alternating first and second elastic pieces to enhance stacking performance and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first rotation shaft and first discharging roller body are positioned upward relative to the second rotation shaft, then the sheet discharge function is improved, but the device height increases making it difficult to make compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet discharge functionVSAvoiddevice height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the shaft downward relative to the upper surface instead of upward. This inversion allows the discharging roller body to be positioned above the upper surface while maintaining the sheet discharge function, thereby reducing the overall device height and achieving compactness in the up-down direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the contacting flag member extends downward from a position upper than the first rotation shaft, then the sheet stacking performance is improved, but the device height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet stacking performanceVSAvoiddevice height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the contacting flag member from the device structure. Instead of extending the flag member downward to improve sheet stacking performance, the invention achieves stacking performance through the elastic pieces that press the sheet against the discharge tray, thereby avoiding the height increase that would result from a downward-extending flag member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of stationary object

If elastic pieces are positioned directly above the shaft, then compactness in up-down direction is achieved, but sheet guidance may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice heightVSAvoidsheet guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the elastic pieces at specific locations above the shaft rather than uniformly distributed. The elastic pieces are arranged at predetermined positions where they can effectively press the sheet against the discharge tray without interfering with the sheet guidance function, thus achieving both compactness and reliable sheet guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 device achieves enhanced stacking performance and compactness in the up-down direction by deforming sheets into a wavy shape, ensuring stable discharge and suppressing curling, while allowing for a higher maximum sheet stack height on the discharge tray.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of elastic pieces includes a first elastic piece and a plurality of second elastic pieces... Each elastic piece is arranged upward relative to the shaft and offset from the roller body in the width direction... deforming the sheet into a wavy shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12522462B2Sheet discharging device including elastic pieces arranged offset from roller body of discharging roller in width direction

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A sheet discharging device includes: a discharging roller, elastic pieces, and a discharge tray. The discharging roller includes: a shaft extending in a width direction, and a roller body configured to convey a sheet in a discharging direction. The elastic pieces protrude in the discharging direction and are arranged upward relative to the shaft and offset from the roller body in the width direction. Each elastic piece has a surface facing downward. The surface has a portion directly above the shaft. The portion is positioned downward relative to an upper end of the roller body while not contacting the sheet. The elastic pieces include: a first elastic piece including a bending portion bent toward the discharge tray, and second elastic pieces not including a bending portion bent toward the discharge tray. The first elastic piece and the second elastic pieces are alternately arranged in the width direction.