Sheet Separation Mechanism with Segmented Friction for Heavy Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet separation transport mechanisms in image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively separating and transporting heavy paper, as they either enhance division function at the cost of increased transport load or reduce transport load to degrade division function, leading to issues with simultaneous feeding and feeding failures, especially with high elasticity papers.
Innovation Solution
A sheet separation transport mechanism featuring a sheet feed member, separation member, support member, and sheet member with a concave portion, where only the uppermost sheet is separated and transported, using a separation member with a high frictional coefficient and a guide portion with an inclined surface to guide sheet leads, and adhering a sheet member with a lower frictional coefficient to overlap the separation member, forming a groove for reduced transport load and enhanced division function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the frictional force of the separation pad is increased to enhance the division function, then the division function is improved, but the transport load is excessively increased, causing sheets to be prevented from being transported to the nip portion
Solution Approach 1:
The separation member is divided into multiple regions along the sheet transport direction: a guide portion with a larger frictional coefficient for division, and a transport portion with a smaller frictional coefficient for transportation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without the negative effects of uniform high friction across the entire member.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the separation member are assigned different frictional coefficients according to their functional requirements. The guide portion has higher friction to prevent simultaneous feeding, while the transport portion has lower friction to facilitate sheet movement to the nip portion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between division effectiveness and transport capability.
2Force
If the transport load is lowered to enhance the function of transporting heavy paper, then the transport function is improved, but the division function is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The separation member is segmented into functional zones: the guide portion maintains high friction for effective sheet division, while the transport portion reduces friction to enable heavy paper transport. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both low transport load and effective division simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional coefficient is locally optimized for each functional region. The guide portion retains high friction properties to ensure division function, while the transport portion has reduced friction to lower transport load, thereby resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the entry angle of the sheet from the manual tray into the separation pad is increased, then the sheet feeding from manual tray is improved, but sheets with high elasticity are more likely to be stopped in front of the main separation portion
Solution Approach 1:
The separation member is divided into a guide portion for entry and a transport portion for movement. The guide portion's larger frictional coefficient helps control sheets with high elasticity during entry, while the transport portion's smaller frictional coefficient ensures they can still be transported to the nip portion, resolving the contradiction between entry effectiveness and transport reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different frictional characteristics are applied locally to different portions of the separation member. The guide portion provides higher friction to manage high-elasticity sheets during entry, while the transport portion provides lower friction to enable successful transport, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and transport reliability.
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
This configuration enhances sheet separation and transport efficiency, reducing simultaneous feeding and failure rates of heavy papers by optimizing the frictional forces and guiding mechanism, ensuring stable operation in image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
Only an uppermost one of stacked sheets is separated and transported in a nip portion between the sheet feed member and the separation member. The separation member is pressed onto the sheet feed member.
Implementation Method 2
The sheet member is adhered from the guide portion so as to overlap the separation member and has a frictional coefficient lower than the separation member.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet separation transport mechanism according to the present disclosure includes a sheet feed member, a separation member, a support member, a sheet member and a concave portion. The sheet feed member feeds a sheet in a transport direction. The separation member is pressed onto the sheet feed member. The support member includes: a separation member retaining portion; and a guide portion which guides lead edges of a plurality of sheets to the downstream side along the inclined surface. The sheet member is adhered from the guide portion so as to overlap the separation member and has a frictional coefficient lower than the separation member. The concave portion is formed in the shape of a groove in a position of the guide portion where the sheet member is adhered such that the depth of the concave portion is greater than the thickness of the sheet member.