Movable Discharge Tray Control for Sheet Loading Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet post-processing devices face issues with sheet alignment and jamming during loading onto processing trays due to increased contact area and frictional resistance between sheets, leading to disrupted alignment and potential jamming.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing device with a control unit that adjusts the position of a discharge tray in the up and down direction using a lifting mechanism, reducing the contact area between sheets by setting the tray to a lower loading position during sheet loading, thereby minimizing frictional resistance and preventing jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the discharge tray is positioned at a higher level during sheet loading, then sheet discharge is facilitated, but sheet alignment is disrupted and jamming occurs due to increased contact area and frictional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is made movable between a discharge position and a loading position through a lifting mechanism. During sheet loading, the tray is lowered to the loading position to reduce contact area and frictional resistance, preventing alignment disruption. During sheet discharge, the tray is raised to the discharge position to facilitate smooth sheet ejection. This dynamic position adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of discharge and sheet alignment reliability.
2Device complexity
If the discharge tray maintains a fixed position, then device structure is simplified, but sheet conveyance load increases leading to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is equipped with a lifting mechanism that enables vertical movement between discharge and loading positions. During sheet loading, the tray is lowered to reduce the contact area between sheets, thereby reducing frictional resistance and conveyance load. This dynamic adjustment prevents jamming while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Reliability
If the discharge tray is positioned lower during loading, then frictional resistance is reduced, but discharge efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism dynamically adjusts the discharge tray position based on the operation phase. During sheet loading, the tray is positioned at the lower loading position to reduce frictional resistance and ensure reliable sheet loading. During sheet discharge, the tray is raised to the higher discharge position to optimize discharge efficiency. This position switching resolves the contradiction between reliable loading and efficient discharge.
Data Source
AI summary
When discharging a sheet onto a discharge tray, a control unit sets position of the discharge tray in an up and down direction to a predetermined discharge position. When loading the sheet onto a processing tray, the control unit sets the position of the discharge tray in the up and down direction to a loading position lower than the discharge position.