Development of Electrostatic Paper Separation and Feed Mechanism
A new paper separation and feed mechanism is proposed to realize a highly
reliable paper handling system for printers and copiers. The paper-separation
system consisted of a pair of parallel electrodes and a paper pile between
the electrodes. Electrostatic separation of a piece of paper was realized
always at the top of the pile when the applied voltage exceeded a threshold
to generate electrostatic force larger than the weight of the paper. The
threshold voltage was about several kilovolts, and it agreed with the numerical
value calculated by the FEM for the electrostatic field. Based on these
basic investigations, a prototype paper separation and feed mechanism was
constructed. It consisted of a roller-type separation electrode coated
with an insulating film, a biased charger roller in contact with the separation
roller to charge the insulating film on the separation roller, a ground
electrode, and a paper pile between the electrodes. When electrostatic
field was applied between the biased charger roller and a ground electrode
on which the paper pile was mounted, it was confirmed that only a top paper
was separated, adhered electrostatically to the roller, and then fed by
the rotation of the separation roller. In this system, reliable paper separation
and feed was realized and a feed speed over 600 mm/s was demonstrated.
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