Buffer Section Integration in Post-Processing Sheet Conveying

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional post-processing devices require significant space and cost due to the need for separate buffer areas for sheets to temporarily stay before being conveyed to different processing sections, leading to increased device size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A post-processing device with a buffer section integrated into the conveying path, utilizing a conveying roller pair and a transferring roller pair to manage sheet flow efficiently between processing sections, allowing sheets to temporarily stay and then be conveyed one by one to the post-processing section, thereby reducing the need for separate buffer areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate buffer areas are provided for sheets to temporarily stay before being conveyed to different processing sections, then sheets can be properly managed during post-processing operations, but device size and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet management capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer area function with the conveying path by providing a single buffer area that can store sheets regardless of their destination processing section. The path switching unit directs sheets from this shared buffer to either the first or second processing section, eliminating the need for separate buffer areas for each path and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable sheet management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate buffer areas are provided for sheets to temporarily stay before being conveyed to different processing sections, then sheets can be properly managed during post-processing operations, but cost increases due to increased device size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet management capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer area function with the conveying path by providing a single buffer area that can store sheets regardless of their destination processing section. The path switching unit directs sheets from this shared buffer to either the first or second processing section, eliminating the need for separate buffer areas for each path and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable sheet management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate buffer areas are provided for different processing sections, then sheet flow to each section can be independently controlled, but the conveying system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing mode flexibilityVSAvoidconveying system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a path switching unit as an intermediary component that controls sheet flow from a single shared buffer area to different processing sections. This mediator enables flexible routing of sheets to either the first or second processing section based on the selected post-processing mode, providing adaptability without requiring separate buffer areas for each section and thereby reducing conveying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11377321B2Post-processing device and image forming system provided with the same

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC

AI summary

A post-processing device for processing a sheet includes a post-processing section for post-processing a sheet; a buffer section for temporarily staying a plurality of sheets at an upstream of the post-processing section; and a conveying section for conveying, one by one, the plurality of sheets stayed at the buffer section to the post-processing section.