Sheet Supply Device Dual-Direction Drive for Inward Outward Rolls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet supply devices struggle to efficiently supply sheets from roll sheets wound with the recording surface facing either inward or outward, leading to poor operability and conveyance performance due to the difficulty in guiding the sheet into the supply path.
Innovation Solution
A sheet supply device with a support portion, drive portion, first and second supply paths, and a conveyance path that can rotate the roll sheet in both directions, allowing the sheet to be supplied regardless of its winding direction, using separate supply paths and guides for outward and inward wound rolls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single supply path configuration is used for outward-wound roll sheets, then the sheet supply works well for outward-wound rolls, but the sheet cannot be properly supplied for inward-wound roll sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet supply device is segmented into two separate supply paths: a first supply path for outward-wound roll sheets and a second supply path for inward-wound roll sheets. Each supply path is optimized for its specific winding direction, allowing the device to handle both types effectively without compromising performance for either configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet supply device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating supply paths that can accommodate both outward-wound and inward-wound roll sheets. The system universally handles different winding directions by selecting the appropriate supply path based on the roll sheet configuration, making the device adaptable to various sheet feeding scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If the recording surface faces inward in an inward-wound roll sheet, then space is saved, but it becomes difficult to lead the leading end of the sheet to the supply path
Solution Approach 1:
A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary element in the second supply path to facilitate the sheet leading end's journey from the inward-wound roll sheet to the conveyance path. This guide portion bridges the gap created by the inward-facing recording surface, enabling smooth sheet guidance without requiring changes to the roll sheet's compact winding configuration.
3Productivity
If a conventional single-direction supply path is used, then the device structure is simple, but operability and conveyance performance are poor for inward-wound roll sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The drive portion is designed with dynamic capability to rotate in both first and second directions, allowing the system to adapt its rotation direction based on the winding direction of the roll sheet. This dynamic behavior enables the device to maintain high sheet supply efficiency for both outward-wound and inward-wound configurations without requiring separate drive mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet supply device includes a support portion that rotatably supports a roll sheet, a drive portion that rotates the roll sheet supported by the support portion in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the fist direction, a first supply path to which a sheet from the roll sheet supported by the support portion is supplied, a second supply path to which a sheet from the roll sheet supported by the support portion is supplied, and a conveyance path that conveys the sheet supplied from the first supply path and the second supply path. The drive portion rotates the roll sheet in the first direction and supplies the sheet from the first supply path and rotates the roll sheet in the second direction and supplies the sheet from the second supply path.