Sheet Separation Device with Winding Roller and Movable Guide

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet separation devices struggle to efficiently separate a two-ply sheet into individual sheets and insert an inner sheet between them, particularly at the non-bonding portion, without causing damage or increasing the device's size and cost.

Innovation Solution

A sheet separation device comprising a sheet separation unit with a winding roller and a separator, a conveyance roller pair, branched conveyance passages, and a movable conveyance guide. The device separates the non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet and inserts an inner sheet between the separated sheets, utilizing a winding mechanism to create a gap for separation and a movable guide to facilitate sheet conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sheet separation device uses a winding roller and separator to separate two-ply sheets, then the sheets can be separated at the non-bonding portion, but the device structure becomes complex and the size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet separation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the winding roller and separator into an integrated sheet separation unit. The winding roller winds the two-ply sheet while the separator simultaneously separates the sheets at the non-bonding portion, merging two functions into one unified structure that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining separation reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance roller pair is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys the two-ply sheet in the normal direction from the sheet separation unit, and also conveys the two-ply sheet in the reverse direction toward the sheet separation unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate conveyance mechanisms, simplifying the device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device conveys sheets in both normal and reverse directions, then flexibility in sheet processing is improved, but the conveyance system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet conveyance flexibilityVSAvoidconveyance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance roller pair is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys the two-ply sheet in the normal direction from the sheet separation unit, and also conveys the two-ply sheet in the reverse direction toward the sheet separation unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate conveyance mechanisms, simplifying the device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable conveyance guide is designed to move between a first position (when the two-ply sheet is conveyed in the normal direction) and a second position (when the two-ply sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction). This dynamic adjustment allows the same structure to accommodate different conveyance directions, improving versatility without requiring separate fixed structures for each direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a movable conveyance guide is used to guide sheets in different directions, then conveyance accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet conveyance accuracyVSAvoidguide mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable conveyance guide is designed to move between a first position (when the two-ply sheet is conveyed in the normal direction) and a second position (when the two-ply sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction). This dynamic adjustment allows the same structure to accommodate different conveyance directions, improving versatility without requiring separate fixed structures for each direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable conveyance guide acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the conveyance roller pair and the branched conveyance passages. It ensures accurate sheet guidance by adapting its position to the conveyance direction, preventing conveyance failures while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250162827A1Sheet separation device, sheet laminator, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet separation device includes a sheet separation unit, a conveyance roller pair, branched conveyance passages, and a movable conveyance guide. The sheet separation unit includes a winding roller and a separator. The winding roller rotates in a given rotational direction to wind a two-ply sheet having two sheets. The separator separates a non-bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation unit inserts an inner sheet between the two sheets separated from each other. The conveyance roller pair conveys the two-ply sheet in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The branched conveyance passages are disposed between the winding roller and the conveyance roller pair. The movable conveyance guide is movable in the first and second directions to guide the two-ply sheet or the inner sheet. The separator is disposed between the winding roller and the conveyance roller pair.