Sheet Ejection Pivot Mechanism for Blocking Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed sheet ejection in image forming apparatuses leads to insufficient cooling of toner images, resulting in blocking issues due to increased power consumption and noise from cooling fans, and the sheets may flutter or jam, especially when sheets are ejected with short intervals.

Innovation Solution

The output tray includes a pivot mechanism that moves a part of its mount face to deform and shift stacked sheets, preventing blocking by ensuring that toner images on previous sheets are cooled and solidified before subsequent sheets are ejected, thus reducing the need for excessive fan power and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed sheet ejection is implemented, then productivity is improved, but blocking occurs due to insufficient cooling of toner images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet ejection speedVSAvoidblocking prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mount face is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The mover mechanism shifts the mount face to deform and shift stacked sheets, preventing blocking while maintaining high-speed ejection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary cooling of toner images on previous sheets before ejecting subsequent sheets. The movable mount face facilitates this by positioning sheets to ensure proper cooling, preventing blocking in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If cooling fans operate at high power to cool toner images, then blocking is prevented, but noise and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking preventionVSAvoidnoise and power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the blocking prevention function from the cooling fan system and transfers it to the movable mount face mechanism. This eliminates the need for high-power cooling fans, reducing noise and power consumption while maintaining blocking prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable mount face performs the cooling facilitation function itself through its mechanical movement, which deforms and shifts sheets to enable air circulation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate high-power cooling fans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If sheets are ejected with short intervals, then productivity is improved, but sheets may flutter or jam

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection intervalVSAvoidsheet flutter and jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable mount face dynamically adjusts sheet positions through its movement, stabilizing sheets during high-speed ejection. This prevents flutter and jamming even when sheets are ejected with short intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mount face movement performs preliminary sheet stabilization before and during ejection, ensuring sheets are properly positioned and secured to prevent flutter and jamming during rapid sequential ejection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240400333A1Sheet ejection device, image forming apparatus, and sheet stacking method

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet ejection device includes an output tray to be stacked with a plurality of sheets. The output tray includes a first mount that mounts the sheets and a second mount that abuts on the first mount. The second mount mounts the sheets. A mover moves the first mount.