Sheet Paper Processing With Jam-Responsive Feed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In paper sheet processing devices, conveyance abnormalities such as jams lead to the temporary halt of all conveyance operations, requiring the removal of large quantities of paper sheets from multiple accumulation units, complicating the removal work.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a base machine with a validator and expansion units featuring extension and branching feed paths, allowing continued conveyance to predetermined stacking portions during abnormalities, and switching conveyance destinations to empty or low-sheet stacking areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyance operation is stopped immediately when a jam occurs, then the jammed paper sheets can be detected, but all paper sheets in multiple accumulation units must be removed for inspection, increasing removal work complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the accumulation units into different segments based on their distance from the jam location. Only accumulation units located downstream of the jam are required to empty their contents for inspection, while upstream units can retain their paper sheets. This segmentation approach reduces the total number of sheets that need to be removed while ensuring that all potentially affected sheets are inspected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of the jam location and automatically determines which accumulation units need to be emptied before the operator begins removal work. This preliminary action provides clear guidance to the operator about which specific units require attention, eliminating the need to manually check all accumulation units and reducing unnecessary removal work.
2Reliability
If all feed paths are stopped when a jam occurs, then the jam can be safely addressed, but productivity is reduced due to complete halt of paper sheet processing
Solution Approach 1:
The feed paths are segmented into affected and unaffected regions based on the jam location. Only the feed paths downstream of the jam are stopped to ensure safe handling, while upstream feed paths can continue operating. This allows the system to maintain partial productivity by continuing to process paper sheets that are not affected by the jam.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stopping all feed paths (excessive action), the system applies partial stopping only to the necessary downstream feed paths. This partial action is sufficient to ensure safe jam handling while avoiding the excessive productivity loss that would result from stopping all feed paths.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a base machine including a base machine feed path that conveys a paper sheet, and a validator identifying the paper sheet conveyed by the base machine feed path; an expansion unit including an extension feed path extending from the base machine feed path, a branching feed path branching from the extension feed path, and a plurality of stacking portions that are connected to the branching feed path and stack the paper sheet identified by the validator; and a control portion that, when a conveyance abnormality occur, continues conveyance operation of at least one of the extension feed path and the branching feed path without immediately stopping the conveyance operation and conveys the paper sheet to a predetermined stacking portion that is any of the plurality of stacking portions, in accordance with a location where the conveyance abnormality occurred and a type of the conveyance abnormality.