Height-Adjustable Eject Mechanism for Sheet Stacker Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stacker modules require the lift table to be lowered to its lowest position to transfer small stacks, interrupting the printing process as the lift table must be raised again after transfer, wasting time and reducing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The eject mechanism and eject table are height-adjustable, allowing for immediate transfer of completed stacks at any lift table height, reducing downtime and enabling continuous printing by synchronizing the movement of the lift table, eject mechanism, and eject table to optimize stack handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the lift table is lowered to the lowermost position to transfer small stacks, then the stack can be transferred onto the eject table, but the printing process is interrupted and time is wasted while the lift table is raised again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process continuityVSAvoidtime for lowering and lifting lift table

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The eject mechanism is made height-adjustable to match the dynamic position of the lift table during operation. This allows the eject mechanism to be positioned at any height where the lift table stops, enabling stack transfer without requiring the lift table to return to the lowermost position, thus eliminating interruptions in the printing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the target height of the stack in advance and proactively moves the eject mechanism to the corresponding height position before the lift table arrives. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the lift table stops at the target height, the eject mechanism is already ready to receive the stack, minimizing transfer time and maintaining printing continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the eject mechanism is fixed at a single height, then the structure is simple, but it cannot transfer stacks efficiently when the lift table is at intermediate heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack transfer efficiencyVSAvoidheight-adjustable eject mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eject mechanism is equipped with height adjustment capability that allows it to move synchronously or independently with the lift table. This dynamic positioning enables the eject mechanism to be at the correct height for stack transfer at any intermediate position of the lift table, significantly improving stack transfer efficiency without requiring the lift table to return to extreme positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The height-adjustable eject mechanism can operate at multiple height positions corresponding to different stack sizes and lift table positions. This multi-functionality allows a single eject mechanism to handle various stack transfer scenarios efficiently, making the system adaptable to different printing job requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12252369B2Sheet stacker module

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 CANON PRODN PRINTING HLDG BV

AI summary

A stacker module includes a lift table, a stacker configured to place sheets that are successively supplied thereto onto the top of a stack forming on the lift table, a controller configured to lower the lift table as the stack grows, a height-adjustable eject table, and an eject mechanism configured to transfer a completed stack from the lift table onto the eject table. The eject mechanism is height-adjustable for transferring stacks onto the eject table in different height positions of the lift table.