Shredder Auto Feed Mechanism with Vacuum Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shredders require manual feeding of paper sheets, which reduces productivity as users need to spend time inserting sheets one at a time, and there is a lack of efficient automatic feeding mechanisms for shredding large stacks of paper.
Innovation Solution
A shredder with a moveable paper feed mechanism that alternates between engaging and disengaging from a stack, using a rotatable feed roller or drum with a vacuum system to automatically feed top sheets into cutter elements, allowing for continuous shredding without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual feeding is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming manual sheet insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller mechanism automatically feeds sheets from the tray without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the vacuum generated during cutter operation to lift and feed the next sheet, eliminating the need for users to manually insert each sheet while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum system is integrated into the feed roller mechanism to automatically lift and feed paper sheets. The vacuum generator creates negative pressure that draws sheets onto the feed roller, enabling automatic feeding without complex mechanical grippers or actuators, thus improving productivity while keeping device complexity manageable
2Extent of automation
If automatic feeding mechanism is added, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller serves multiple functions: it acts as a vacuum chamber for sheet lifting, a mechanical conveyor for sheet transport, and a positioning device for sheet alignment. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent achieves automatic feeding capability while minimizing the number of additional components required, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller acts as an intermediary between the stationary paper stack in the tray and the moving cutter elements. It mediates the transfer of sheets from the static storage position to the dynamic cutting zone, enabling automatic feeding without requiring direct mechanical linkage between all components, thus reducing overall system complexity
3Productivity
If vacuum system is used to lift sheets, then automatic feeding is enabled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when needed to lift the next sheet for feeding. The vacuum generator is controlled to create negative pressure during specific phases of the shredding cycle, then deactivates, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining continuous shredding capability through repeated periodic cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by switching between positive pressure (during cutter operation) and negative pressure (during sheet lifting). This parameter change enables the same vacuum system to serve multiple purposes - lifting sheets during feeding phase and potentially assisting cutter operation during cutting phase - maximizing energy efficiency
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 solution enables efficient and automatic shredding of large stacks of paper, reducing user time and increasing productivity by allowing continuous operation with minimal user input, handling various paper sizes and types, including stapled documents.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum generator is provided to apply a vacuum to an interior of the moveable paper feed mechanism to draw air through the exterior paper engaging surface, thereby lifting one or more top sheets from atop the stack
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for advancing at least a top sheet from a stack of paper in a tray into the cutter elements for shredding. In one embodiment, the apparatus uses a rotatable feed roller to feed paper atop the stack to the cutter elements. The feed roller moves in an alternating manner between a lowered and raised position to engage and disengage the stack when advancing the paper therethrough. Alternatively, a rotatable cam may be used. In an embodiment, the apparatus uses a rotatable drum or rotatable belt with an internal vacuum to lift paper from the stack and feed into the shredder mechanism.