Swingable Sheet Stacking Portion for Envelope Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices face issues with feeding envelopes with flaps, as the inclination of the uppermost envelope due to varying heights causes contact reduction with the feed roller, leading to potential feeding failures and increased friction, which can result in slip and conveyance issues.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking device with a swinging stacking portion that adjusts the inclination angle to align the uppermost envelope with the feed roller, using a base member that supports the stacking portion swingably in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, allowing the flapped region to drop and the flap-less region to rise, ensuring proper contact and stable feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If envelopes are stacked with flaps aligned in a direction orthogonal to sheet feeding direction, then the envelopes can be stored in the feed cassette, but the uppermost envelope inclines remarkably due to height difference between flap region and non-flap region
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking portion is configured to be swingable in the width direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its inclination angle. This enables the stacking portion to adapt to the height difference between flap and non-flap regions of envelopes, maintaining horizontal alignment of the uppermost envelope surface while preserving the orthogonal stacking arrangement
2Quantity of substance
If envelopes are stacked with increasing number of envelopes, then the storage capacity increases, but the height difference between flap region and non-flap region increases, causing greater inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable stacking portion automatically adjusts its inclination angle based on the cumulative height difference created by stacking multiple envelopes. As more envelopes are stacked, the stacking portion swings to accommodate the increased height variation, maintaining horizontal alignment regardless of stack depth
3Ease of operation
If the uppermost envelope is inclined, then the flap-less region may be positioned below the downstream wall surface, but this causes feeding failure due to reduced contact area with feed roller
Solution Approach 1:
By making the stacking portion swingable, the system dynamically maintains the uppermost envelope surface in a horizontal position, ensuring consistent and adequate contact area between the envelope and feed roller. This prevents feeding failures while allowing flexible envelope positioning
4Stability of the object's composition
If envelopes are pressed by a roller to prevent inclination, then the envelope surface can be kept horizontal, but the friction force between envelopes increases and conveyance load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable stacking portion achieves horizontal alignment through gravitational force and mechanical equilibrium rather than active pressing. This passive alignment mechanism maintains envelope horizontality without applying additional pressure, thereby avoiding increased friction and conveyance load
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the active mechanical pressing system with a passive gravitational alignment system. The swingable stacking portion naturally settles into a position where the envelope surface is horizontal, eliminating the need for pressing forces that would increase friction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking device includes a base member and a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet is stacked. The sheet stacking portion is supported by the base member swingably in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction, and swings and changes an inclination angle for holding the stacked sheet.