Spring Kicker Element for Print Media Separator Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
As print devices increase in capacity to store larger quantities of print media, the existing kicker units struggle to maintain the separator angle and prevent multiple sheets from being picked at once, especially as the media stack thickness decreases, leading to potential disturbances and inefficiencies in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spring kicker element with a planar extension that can be retrofitted onto existing kicker units, allowing for adjustable reach and maintaining the separator angle regardless of media stack thickness, by utilizing a spring mechanism that compresses and extends to ensure proper alignment of print media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the media tray size is increased to store larger quantities of print media, then the storage capacity is improved, but the existing kicker units struggle to maintain the separator angle and prevent multiple sheets from being picked at once
Solution Approach 1:
The kicker unit incorporates a spring mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the kicker arm reach. The spring enables the kicker arm to extend further when the media stack is thin, maintaining the separator angle effectively, while automatically retracting when the media stack is thick, preventing over-extension and potential damage. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same kicker unit to reliably maintain the separator angle across varying media stack thicknesses in high-capacity trays.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring kicker element changes the physical parameters of the kicker arm through elastic deformation. The spring constant and pre-load can be adjusted to modify the reach and force characteristics of the kicker arm, allowing optimization for different media stack thicknesses. This parameter adjustment capability enables the kicker unit to maintain reliable separator angle maintenance regardless of the media tray capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the media stack thickness decreases, then the media is closer to being expended, but the existing kicker units fail to maintain proper alignment, leading to multiple sheet picks
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides dynamic reach adjustment that automatically compensates for decreasing media stack thickness. As the media is expended and the stack becomes thinner, the spring allows the kicker arm to extend further, maintaining effective contact with the media edge to preserve the separator angle. This prevents multiple sheet picks and maintains picking efficiency throughout the entire media stack depletion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to provide the necessary force and reach characteristics before the media stack becomes thin. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the media stack thickness decreases, the kicker arm is already positioned and force-adjusted to maintain proper separator angle, preventing multiple sheet picks before they occur.
3Reliability
If the kicker unit reach is increased to handle thinner media stacks, then the separator angle maintenance is improved, but the risk of disturbing multiple sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides controlled, progressive extension of the kicker arm reach. As the media stack becomes thinner, the spring gradually allows greater extension, providing just enough reach to maintain the separator angle without excessive force or distance that could disturb multiple sheets. The spring's elastic properties naturally limit the maximum reach, preventing over-extension that would cause harmful media disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring system allows precise adjustment of the kicker arm's reach and force parameters. By adjusting the spring constant and pre-load, the system can be optimized to provide sufficient reach for thin media stacks while maintaining controlled force application. This parameter optimization ensures effective separator angle maintenance without the harmful effect of disturbing multiple sheets.
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 solution ensures consistent and efficient picking of single sheets across varying media stack thicknesses without modifying the internal mechanisms of the print device, reducing the likelihood of multiple sheet picks and maintaining printing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring kicker element with a planar extension that can be retrofitted onto existing kicker units, allowing for adjustable reach and maintaining the separator angle regardless of media stack thickness, by utilizing a spring mechanism that compresses and extends
Data Source
AI summary
A spring kicker element for a kicker unit within a print device is described. In one example, the spring kicker element is fitted onto the kicker unit. The spring kicker element comprises a planar extension extending radially from its base portion, such that when fitted, the planar extension extends away from the kicker unit.