Dual-Cursor Sheet Alignment for Skewed or Wet Sheet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet post-processing devices face challenges in accurately aligning sheets, particularly when they are skewed or wet, which can lead to difficulties in processing and discharge.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a pair of processing tray cursors and a pair of discharge tray cursors that move in a reciprocating manner to align sheets in the width direction, combined with a control unit that performs front and rear end alignment processes to ensure precise sheet alignment, even when the sheets are skewed or wet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional discharge methods are used without dual-cursor alignment, then the device structure is simpler, but sheet alignment precision deteriorates when sheets are skewed or wet
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented into two independent cursor units: a processing tray cursor for aligning sheets on the processing tray and a discharge tray cursor for aligning sheets on the discharge tray. Each cursor operates independently to address alignment issues at different stages, thereby improving overall alignment precision without requiring a single complex alignment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing tray cursor performs preliminary alignment of sheets before they are discharged to the discharge tray. This preliminary alignment action ensures that sheets are properly positioned early in the process, preventing misalignment issues from propagating to the discharge stage and improving final alignment precision.
2Productivity
If sheets are discharged immediately after processing, then the processing speed is faster, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to sheet skew and wetness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment using the processing tray cursor before discharge, and then performs a second alignment action using the discharge tray cursor after discharge. This two-stage preliminary alignment approach ensures sheets are aligned both before and after discharge, maintaining high alignment accuracy even when sheets are wet or skewed during the discharge process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit coordinates the operation of both cursors based on the sheet discharge state. When sheets are discharged with the front end protruding, the discharge tray cursor is activated to perform additional alignment. This feedback-based control ensures alignment accuracy is maintained dynamically according to the actual sheet condition during discharge.
3Manufacturing precision
If only rear end alignment is performed, then the alignment process is simpler, but front end alignment precision deteriorates when sheets protrude from discharge outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment task is segmented into two independent operations: rear end alignment performed by the processing tray cursor and front end alignment performed by the discharge tray cursor. This segmentation allows each cursor to specialize in aligning a specific part of the sheet, ensuring both rear end and front end alignment precision without requiring a single complex cursor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to the alignment process by introducing a second cursor on the discharge tray that operates in a different location than the processing tray cursor. This dimensional separation allows independent control of front end and rear end alignment, achieving precise alignment at both ends simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
When performing an alignment process on a sheet loaded on the processing tray in a state where a front end of the sheet is protruded from a discharge outlet above a discharge tray, the control unit performs a front end alignment process in which a pair of discharge tray cursors sandwich the front end of the sheet protruded above the discharge tray in the width direction, and a rear end alignment process in which the pair of processing tray cursors sandwich a rear end of the sheet on the processing tray in the width direction.