Low cost actuated idler nip assembly integrating nip loading and support

Abstract

This invention is a sheet handling assembly that incorporates the use of combined functions by using a passive-fixed flat spring to produce a nips load and nip release while simultaneously providing a nip support and mounting.

1 . A sheet handling assembly for correcting and controlling sheet skew, said assembly comprising:
 a drive roll,   an idler roll,   a flat leaf spring, and   a cam mounted on a cam shaft to form a cam system, said flat leaf spring configured as the principal source to supply combined functions of both a support and force or load upon said idler roll.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cam system is configured to act upon said flat leaf spring to separate said drive roll and said idler roll and thereby provide nip separation. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein as said cam rotates, it is configured to contact said flat leaf spring which is configured to apply a force on said idler roll separating it from said drive roll. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said flat leaf spring is attached at one end to a fixed frame and attached on an opposite end to a shaft of said idler roll. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said flat leaf spring is configured to apply a nip normal force to said idler roll when said idler roll and drive roll are in contact, and is configured to use said flat leaf spring as a follower for said cam system to separate said drive roll and idler roll. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cam is oval shaped and is configured to rotate upon said cam shaft and as it contacts said flat leaf spring is configured to lift said idler roll out of contact with said drive roll. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cam shaft is connected on one terminal end to a stepper motor, said stepper motor in electrical or mechanical connection to a system controller, said controller configured to control individually all nip separation in said assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A sheet handling assembly for correcting and controlling sheet skew, said assembly comprising:
 a drive roll,   an idler roll,   a flat leaf spring, and   a cam mounted on a cam shaft to form a cam system, said flat leaf spring configured to supply combined functions of both a support and force or load upon said idler roll,   said assembly having a plurality of sensors each in contact with a controller and a stepper motor, said controller configured to actuate idler roll nip separation by causing said stepper motor and said cam system to separate said idler roll from said drive roll.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said cam system is configured to act upon said flat leaf spring to separate said drive roll and said idler roll and thereby provide nip separation. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein as said cam rotates, it is configured to contact said flat leaf spring which is configured to apply a force on said idler roll separating it from said drive roll. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said flat leaf spring is attached at one end to a fixed frame and attached on an opposite end to a shaft of said idler roll. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said flat leaf spring is configured to apply a nip normal force to said idler roll when said idler roll and drive roll are in contact, and is configured to use said flat leaf spring as a follower for said cam system to separate said drive roll and idler roll. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said cam is oval shaped and is configured to rotate upon said cam shaft and as it contacts said flat leaf spring is configured to lift said idler roll out of contact with said drive roll. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said cam shaft is connected on one terminal end to a stepper motor, said stepper motor in electrical or mechanical connection to a system controller, said controller configured to control individually all nip separation in said assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein said flat leaf spring is configured to apply a nip normal force when said drive roll and idler roll are in contact and configured to act as a follower for said cam system to separate said drive roll and said idler roll, said cam having an oval configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling the flow of sheets through a sheet handling assembly comprising providing a drive roll in contact with an idler roll to form a nip thereby, Connecting a flat leaf spring to said on one first end to idler roll, and on a second opposite end to a fixed frame,
 locating a cam on a shaft in contact with said fat leaf spring between said first and second ends of said flat leaf spring,   rotating said cam to contact said flat leaf spring and move it to raise and lower said idler roll from contact with said drive roll.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  where said flat leaf spring is a sole source of integrating nip loading and support to said sheet handling assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  where said cam shaft is connected on one end to a stepper motor, said stepper motor controlled by a system controller to thereby individually control all nip separation in said assembly.