Swingable Sheet Stacking Plate for Envelope Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, sheet feeding apparatuses struggle to reliably feed envelopes with uneven thickness due to height differences caused by folded flaps, leading to inclined stacking and uneven feeding, resulting in potential slippage and skewing issues.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking apparatus with swingable plates supported by a base member and biased by compression springs to reduce swing angle, ensuring the topmost envelope is kept horizontal, allowing uniform feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If envelopes are stacked with flaps in the same orientation, then the stacking height difference increases, but the topmost envelope becomes inclined and cannot be fed reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swingable member that can dynamically adjust its angle in response to the weight distribution of stacked envelopes. As envelopes are stacked, the swingable member automatically swings to maintain a predetermined angle, preventing inclination and ensuring reliable feeding throughout the stacking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the sheet stacking surface by introducing a swingable member that adjusts its angle based on the stacking weight. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying numbers of stacked envelopes while maintaining proper orientation for reliable feeding.
2Quantity of substance
If a large number of envelopes are stacked, then the height difference between sides increases, but the pickup roller cannot abut uniformly with the topmost envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The swingable member provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows the sheet stacking surface to maintain a consistent predetermined angle regardless of the number of stacked envelopes. This dynamic compensation ensures uniform abutment between the pickup roller and the topmost envelope throughout the entire stacking process.
3Device complexity
If envelopes are stacked horizontally without swing adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the topmost envelope inclines significantly with large numbers of stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swingable member that automatically adjusts to maintain the sheet stacking surface at a predetermined angle. This dynamic mechanism prevents envelope inclination while maintaining relatively simple construction, achieving a balance between structural simplicity and stacking stability.
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 ensures uniform feeding of envelopes by maintaining the topmost envelope in a horizontal position, preventing slippage and skewing, and enabling reliable feeding even with large numbers of envelopes.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing portion (42) configured to bias the sheet stacking portion (19) to reduce a swing angle
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a base member, a sheet stacking portion on which sheets are stacked, and a biasing portion configured to bias the sheet stacking portion.The sheet stacking portion is swingably supported by the base member, and the biasing portion biases the sheet stacking portion such that a swing angle is reduced.