Abstract: A flattening device includes: a holder configured to support the following components; at least one flattening roller set, including a first flattening roller and a second flattening roller arranged oppositely at two sides of a sheet medium conveying path; and a power mechanism configured to drive the first and second flattening rollers to rotate. A surface of the first flattening roller is distributed with n arc-shaped grooves arranged in parallel with an axis direction of the first flattening roller, wherein n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; and a surface of the second flattening roller is provided with at least one arc-shaped protruding portion in rolling engagement with the arc-shaped grooves of the first flattening roller; and wherein, the first flattening roller and the second flattening roller are in rolling engagement to form a conveying passage for the sheet medium.

Abstract: A device for overlapping sheets includes at least one blower box and a supply table. Multiple sheets are guided into a region of the blower box consecutively, in the same transport direction, and are arranged at a distance from one another on the supply table. A blower nozzle is arranged in the blower box, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A blowing direction of the blower nozzle is oriented and parallel to the supply table and against the transport direction of the sheets. The supply table is arranged below the blower box and multiple blower nozzles are arranged in the blower box, one after the other, in the transport direction of the sheets, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A respective blowing direction of the blower nozzles is oriented in parallel to the supply table, and against the transport direction of the sheets.

Abstract: A paper sheet transporting apparatus includes a transporting guide through which a paper sheet is transported and a sound propagation guide to transmit sound that is provided separately from the transporting guide by connecting two positions separated from each other on the transporting guide. When a difference between a length between the two positions of the transporting guide and a length of the sound propagation guide connecting the two positions is defined as ?L(m), m=(2n?1) (n is an integer) is satisfied, and a wavelength of a sound deadening symmetrical sound is defined as ?(m), ?L=m·?/2 is satisfied.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet containing unit and a sheet feeding device to feed sheets in the sheet containing unit. The sheet containing unit includes a main body to hold sheets, a drawer member capable of being drawn from the main body, a restricting member movable in a direction parallel to a sheet feeding direction, a first retaining member disposed at the main body, and a second retaining member disposed at the drawer member. The drawer member holds the sheets together with the main body when drawn from the main body. The restricting member restricts an upstream end position of the contained sheets. The first retaining member retains the restricting member at a first position. The second retaining member retains the restricting member at a second position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a motor, a first gear, a roller, a second gear, a first frame and a second frame. The first gear is attached to the motor. The second gear is attached to the roller, and in meshing engagement with the first gear. The first frame includes a wall having a side surface. The second frame is provided with: a first abutment portion in abutment with the side surface; and a second abutment portion in abutment with the side surface. The second abutment portion is positioned downstream of the first abutment portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the roller. An abutment position between the second abutment portion and the side surface is positioned downstream in a first direction along the axial direction of the roller of an abutment position between the first abutment portion and the side surface.

Abstract: An interchange mechanism for deploying at least one reflector for reconfiguration of a spacecraft antenna. The interchange mechanism includes a rotary actuator having a fixed section mounted on an antenna structure and a mobile section rotating relative to the fixed section about a rotation axis. At least one carrier supports a reflector and is freely rotatably mounted on the fixed section for rotation about the rotation axis between first and second angular positions. An arm mounted on the mobile section carries a carrier engaging mechanism that successively and releasably engages the at least one carrier and displaces the at least one carrier from the first to the second angular position when the arm and the mobile section rotate in a first direction.

Abstract: User labor relating to determining on an alignment condition is reduced and a stable conveying operation is realized by aligning a sheet bundle also when a sheet bundle is added. A sheet bundle composed of multiple sheet materials is placed on a loading platform. An encoder pulse unit detects the amount of the sheet bundle placed on the loading platform based on the opening amount of a pressure plate. A control unit determines on an alignment condition according to the amount of the sheet bundle. Rotating members align the sheet bundle in accordance with the alignment condition. When it is determined that another sheet bundle has been added to the loading platform, the control unit updates the alignment condition according to the total amount of the other sheet bundle and the sheet bundle remaining on the loading platform.

Abstract: A sheet regulating portion includes a body portion including a regulating surface facing an edge of a sheet, a pressing member having a pressing portion capable of projecting out of the body portion, an upper portion formed integrally with an upper part of the pressing portion so as to project to a sheet side and regulating an upward move of the sheet, and an urging member to urge the pressing member so that the pressing portion presses the edge of the sheet. In addition, a holding portion holds the pressing portion movably from a projecting position where the pressing portion projects out of the body portion to a retracting position where the upper portion enters within the body portion while inclining the pressing portion with respect to the regulating surface by resisting against the urging member when the upper portion is pressed from above.

Abstract: An arrangement (100) for handling flat elements (202), in particular paper elements (202). A guiding structure (101) is provided, along which a flat element (202) is guidable and transportable along a transport direction (T). A hold-down element (102) is coupled to the guiding structure (101) for holding down the flat element (202) to the guiding structure (101). The hold-down element (102) has a support section (103) on which the flat element (202) is supportable. The hold-down element (102) extends along an extending direction (116) having a component perpendicular to the transport direction (T), wherein suction holes (104) are arranged along the extending direction (116). A suction unit (110) includes a suction opening (111) coupled to the suction holes (104) of the hold-down element (102), an air inlet (112) and an air outlet (113), wherein the suction unit (110) directs air from the air inlet (112) to the air outlet (113) for generating an air flow (114).

Abstract: A scanning device includes at least one motor, an input tray, a pickup roller, a separation roller module, an ultrasonic sensor, a scanning module, a path switcher and a controller. The pickup roller is connected with the at least one motor. The separation roller module is connected with the at least one motor. The ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic emitter and an ultrasonic receiver. The ultrasonic sensor is used for sensing that a single paper or multiple papers are fed in. The scanning module is used for scanning a plurality of papers. The path switcher is connected with the at least one motor. The at least one motor is capable of driving the path switcher to be switched to a first position and a second position. The controller is connected with the at least one motor and the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A lead-in path through which a sheet is led in; a first branch path and a second branch path which branch from the lead-in path; a first switchback path which extends from the first branch path; a second switchback path which extends from the second branch path; a first joining path and a second joining path through which the switched-back sheet is transported; and a lead-out path which extends from a joining point at which the first joining path and the second joining path join with each other, are provided. The lead-out path passes through between the first switchback path and the second switchback path. A first connection point at which the first switchback path and the first joining path are connected to each other is disposed above a second connection point at which the second switchback path and the second joining path are connected to each other.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprises at least one roller disposed in a sheet conveyance path and configured to convey a plurality of sheets; a sheet sensor disposed in the sheet conveyance path and configured to detect each sheet as it is conveyed by a particular roller of the at least one roller and to generate sensor information indicative of the detection; and a controller configured to: use the sensor information to calculate a sheet passage interval for each sheet; count a first number of times the sheet passage interval is greater than a first threshold corresponding to abnormally slow sheet conveyance and a second number of times the sheet passage interval is lower than a second threshold corresponding to abnormally fast sheet conveyance; determine whether an alert condition has been met based on the counts of the first and second numbers of times; and generate a control signal after the alert condition has been met.

Abstract: A media feeder including a tray arranged to hold media, a motor arranged to move the tray in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, a sensor arranged to detect at least one position of the tray, a processor arranged to execute a set of steps, and a memory element arranged to store the set of steps. The set of steps includes: receiving a first input from a user selecting a first loading preference; moving the tray with the motor in the first direction a first distance from the first position to a second position; loading a first quantity of media into the tray; and, moving the tray in the second direction until a first sheet of the first quantity of media is in a feeding position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion, a regulating portion, a feeding portion, an image forming unit, a sheet detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute, in a state where an image forming job in which an image is formed by the image forming unit is interrupted, a drive processing of the feeding portion such that (a) the feeding portion is driven at a first timing if the regulating portion is not set to a moved state within a predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet, and (b) the feed portion is driven at a second timing later than the first timing if the regulating portion is set to the moved state within the predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet.

Abstract: A bicycle gear shifter comprises a shift positioning ratchet provided with positioning teeth, release teeth, and drive teeth, a drive member for rotating the shift positioning ratchet, a mounting member mounted on a bicycle handlebar, a resettable positioning member, a release member for driving movements of the resettable positioning member, a fixing member connected to the mounting member, and an actuating member for driving the shift positioning ratchet to reversely rotate. The shift positioning ratchet and the actuating member are mounted on the fixing member by a rotatable main shaft, the resettable positioning member is sleeved around the rotatable main shaft, and a positioning pawl is provided for engaging with the positioning teeth. The drive member is sleeved around the rotatable main shaft and is provided with a driving part engaging with the driving teeth.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes a steering column assembly, a steering wheel assembly secured to the steering column assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising a steering wheel frame, a steering wheel rim, and a hub, and an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator secured to the steering column assembly. The steering wheel frame and the hub are stationary and the steering wheel rim rotates relative to the steering wheel frame and the hub.

Abstract: A tool driving module for a robot manipulator comprising an end-shaft is disclosed. The tool driving module comprises a connection part, a motor driving module, a driving arm and a tool fixing bracket. The connection part comprising a combination bracket is coupled with the end-shaft. The motor driving module is coupled with the combination bracket. The driving arm is connected with the motor driving module, and driven by the motor driving module to rotate. The tool fixing bracket is connected with the driving arm for mounting a tool thereon. The tool fixing bracket and the tool are driven by the driving arm to rotate synchronously, and a tool center point of the tool and an extending line of an axis of the end-shaft are at a common point via the rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a damper mechanism having a movable portion supported by a sheet storage portion and movable with respect to the sheet storage portion by abutting against a body in a case where the sheet storage portion is inserted to the body, and a resistance member. In addition, a first transmission portion actuates the resistance member to produce a resistive force and transmits the resistive force so that an insertion speed of the sheet storage portion is reduced when the sheet storage portion is inserted to the body, and a second transmission actuates the resistance member to produce the resistive force and transmits the resistive force so that a lowering speed of the sheet supporting member is reduced when the sheet storage portion with the sheet supporting member having been lifted by a lift portion is drawn out of the body.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a reverse conveyance portion and a second conveyance direction, a supporting portion configured to support a lower surface of the sheet conveyed by the reverse conveyance portion, and an opposing portion provided along and above the supporting portion. Either one of the supporting portion and the opposing portion includes a first projected portion. The other of the supporting portion and the opposing portion includes a second projected portion and a third projected portion. The first projected portion is arranged between the second projected portion and the third projected portion in a width direction intersecting with the first conveyance direction. At least a part of the first projected portion is arranged to overlap with the second projected portion and the third projected portion in a sheet thickness direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a controller to set conveyance speeds of first, second, and third conveyance rotary members. The controller sets the conveyance speed of a sheet by the second conveyance rotary member to a first conveyance speed, which is the same as a conveyance speed of the sheet by the first conveyance rotary member, and a second conveyance speed which is different from the first conveyance speed. When the controller sets the conveyance speed of the sheet by the first conveyance rotary member to the first conveyance speed and sets the conveyance speed of the sheet by the second conveyance rotary member to the second conveyance speed, the controller sets the conveyance speed of the sheet by the third conveyance rotary member to a third conveyance speed which is a speed between the first conveyance speed and the second conveyance speed.