Adjustable Airflow for Sheet Discharge Curling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet discharging apparatuses suffer from issues such as untidiness, sticking-together, and curling of sheets due to inadequate discharge mechanisms, particularly in image forming and post-processing systems.
Innovation Solution
A sheet discharging apparatus with a blowing mechanism that blows air streams from opposite ends of the sheet width direction, adjustable based on sheet size, to stabilize discharge and prevent curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fan blows air from above the sheet discharge port to stabilize sheet discharge, then sheet discharge stability is improved, but sheet alignment and stacking quality deteriorate due to inadequate control over air blowing position
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing mechanism is designed to be movable along the width direction of the sheet, allowing the air blowing position to be dynamically adjusted according to sheet size. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to maintain both discharge stability and stacking quality by adapting to different sheet dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the air blowing mechanism based on sheet size variations. By adjusting the blowing position parameter to match different sheet widths, the system optimizes both discharge stability and stacking quality for various sheet dimensions.
2Device complexity
If air is blown from a fixed position above the sheet discharge port, then the blowing mechanism structure is simplified, but sheet handling quality deteriorates for sheets of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a complex multi-position fixed structure, the invention employs a simple movable blowing mechanism that can be positioned dynamically. This approach maintains structural simplicity while achieving adaptive positioning for different sheet sizes, thereby preserving stacking quality.
3Device complexity
If the blowing mechanism is fixed in position, then the device structure is simplified, but adaptability to different sheet sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing mechanism incorporates movability along the width direction, enabling it to adapt to different sheet sizes without requiring a complex fixed multi-position structure. This dynamic capability provides versatility while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blowing mechanism serves multiple functions by adapting its position to handle various sheet sizes. This single adaptable structure replaces what would otherwise require multiple fixed-position mechanisms, achieving universality without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 adjustable air blowing mechanism effectively suppresses curling and improves sheet alignment and stacking stability on discharge trays, enhancing the discharge performance of sheets of varying sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing device that is coupled to the blowing ports and that produces the stream of air
Implementation Method 2
The blowing mechanism blows a stream of air to the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port... effectively suppresses curling and improves sheet alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharging apparatus includes a sheet discharge port, a discharging member, a sheet discharge tray, and a blowing mechanism. The discharging member is disposed at the sheet discharge port and conveys a sheet in the discharge direction. The sheet discharge tray is disposed downstream of the sheet discharge port along the discharge direction and the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port is stacked on it. The blowing mechanism has a blowing port through which a stream of air is blown from above toward the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port and a blowing device that is coupled to the blowing port and that produces the stream of air. The blowing mechanism can adjust the blowing position of the stream of air with respect to the sheet according to the size of the sheet along the width direction.