Aligning Device Position Adjustment for Sheet Post-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing apparatuses for image forming systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately performing binding and center-folding operations, particularly in aligning sheets for saddle-stitching and center-folding processes, leading to potential misalignment and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing apparatus equipped with an aligning device, a moving mechanism, and a controller that selectively adjusts the position of the aligning device based on the selected mode of operation, allowing for precise alignment and processing of sheets in either the binding mode or center-folding mode without requiring the other process, thereby minimizing alignment failures and optimizing processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the aligning device position is fixed for saddle-stitching process, then binding process can be performed accurately, but center-folding process requires additional moving time and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning device is made dynamically adjustable between different positions. The controller selectively moves the aligning device to a first position for saddle-stitching process or a second position for center-folding process, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on the required operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision for binding and optimizing speed for folding-only operations
Solution Approach 2:
The aligning device serves multiple functions by being capable of operating at different positions. It can align sheets for binding operations at the first position and for center-folding operations at the second position, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms for different post-processing operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If the aligning device is moved between different positions for different post-processing operations, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving mechanism and aligning device are merged into an integrated assembly. The aligning device is coupled to the moving mechanism such that it moves together as a single unit, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture while still providing the capability to switch between different operational positions
3Adaptability or versatility
If sheets are aligned at saddle-stitching position and then moved to center-folding position, then binding process is enabled, but processing time increases when only center-folding is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning device is preliminarily positioned at the appropriate location based on the selected post-processing operation before sheets are fed. When center-folding only is selected, the aligning device is pre-positioned at the second position, eliminating unnecessary movement time and enabling immediate processing, thus reducing time loss while maintaining process flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
The aligning device receives a sheet conveyed in a sheet conveyance direction in a stackable manner and aligns a position of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. The moving mechanism moves the sheet aligned by the aligning device in the sheet conveyance direction together with the aligning device. The controller selectively executes a first mode in which first post-processing is performed on the sheet and then second post-processing is performed on the sheet and a second mode in which the second post-processing is performed on the sheet without performing the first post-processing on the sheet. The controller, in response to a selection of the first mode or the second mode, causes the moving mechanism to adjust a position of the aligning device in the sheet conveyance direction before the aligning device receives the sheet as a target of the first post-processing or the second post-processing, respectively.