Dual Paddle Sheet Alignment Mechanism for Misregistration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in accurately aligning sheets in the direction orthogonal to the width direction, leading to potential misalignment and inefficiencies in post-processing operations like stapling.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a first paddle and a second paddle mounted on a rotational shaft, which contact and guide sheets into a stopper to align them vertically, with the second paddle providing additional alignment if necessary, allowing for precise alignment and high-speed processing without repeated rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single paddle is used to align sheets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sheet alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented into two distinct paddles: a first paddle that performs initial alignment by rotating sheets into a first aligned state, and a second paddle that performs corrective alignment by rotating sheets into a second aligned state. This segmentation allows each paddle to specialize in specific alignment tasks, improving overall alignment accuracy while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first paddle performs preliminary alignment action by rotating sheets into a first aligned state before the second paddle performs the final alignment. This preliminary action prepares the sheets for the subsequent corrective alignment, ensuring that both paddles work in sequence to achieve precise vertical alignment without requiring excessive complexity in a single component.
2Productivity
If the rotational shaft rotates at high speed, then the processing speed is improved, but the sheet alignment accuracy deteriorates due to centrifugal force
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational alignment process is segmented into two distinct phases: first rotation for initial alignment and second rotation for corrective alignment. Each rotation phase can be optimized independently, allowing the system to achieve high processing speed through efficient sequential operations while maintaining accuracy through the corrective second rotation that compensates for any deviations caused by high-speed centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The second paddle provides feedback-based corrective alignment by detecting and compensating for any misalignment that occurs during the first alignment phase. This feedback mechanism ensures that even if high-speed rotation causes minor deviations, the final sheet alignment accuracy is maintained through the corrective action of the second paddle.
3Productivity
If the first paddle rotates sheets strongly, then the processing speed is improved, but the sheet alignment accuracy deteriorates due to excessive rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet rotation process is divided into two segments: a first strong rotation by the first paddle that achieves rapid initial alignment, and a second corrective rotation by the second paddle that fine-tunes the alignment. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from the speed advantage of strong rotation while eliminating its harmful effect on accuracy through the subsequent corrective phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The second paddle performs a preliminary anti-action by counteracting any excessive rotation or misalignment caused by the first paddle's strong rotation. This corrective action prevents the harmful effects of over-rotation from affecting the final alignment accuracy, allowing the system to maintain high processing speed without sacrificing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus comprises an axis of rotation; a standby section configured to buffer a sheet; a processing section configured to execute a post processing on sheets moved from the standby section; a first paddle configured to be mounted in the axis of rotation and be rotated around the axis of rotation to contact with the sheet supplied from the standby section to draw the sheet into a stopper; and a second paddle configured to be mounted in the axis of rotation at a predetermined angle with respect to the first paddle and draw the sheet into the stopper after the first paddle is separated from the sheet after a drawing-in operation of the sheet by the first paddle.