Knockdown Apparatus for Reducing Curl in Finisher Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing finisher devices face challenges in effectively processing recording media with significant ink amounts, as high temperatures to remove moisture cause curling, leading to poor compilation and limited stack capacity due to curled media preventing paddles from pulling the media towards the registration tray.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a knockdown apparatus that flattens the recording medium during compilation, allowing increased temperatures for moisture removal and improving stack quality by reducing curling, thus enabling better compilation and increased stack capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high temperatures are used to remove moisture from recording media, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but recording media curling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetemperatureVSAvoidcurling

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The knockdown apparatus applies a preliminary downward force on the recording media before and during the moisture removal process. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the curling tendency caused by high temperature, allowing the media to maintain a flat state despite the thermal processing that removes moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The knockdown apparatus performs a preliminary flattening action on the recording media before they enter the high-temperature moisture removal zone. By pre-flattening the media, the system prepares them to withstand the thermal process without developing excessive curl, thus enabling effective moisture removal while maintaining shape control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If recording media with ink are processed at high temperatures, then moisture removal is improved, but compilation quality deteriorates due to curling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removalVSAvoidcompilation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Temperature

If curled recording media are processed, then moisture removal can occur, but stack capacity is limited due to poor compilation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal temperatureVSAvoidstack capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The knockdown apparatus divides the compilation process into distinct phases: a knockdown phase where media are flattened under downward force, and a compilation phase where flattened media are stacked. This segmentation allows curled media to be effectively flattened first, enabling them to be properly compiled and increasing overall stack capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The knockdown apparatus uses a dynamically adjustable downward force that can be applied selectively during the compilation process. This dynamic control allows the system to flatten media as needed while maintaining efficient stacking, thereby increasing stack capacity without sacrificing moisture removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3774344B1Knockdown apparatus for compiling recording media in finisher

Publication Date: 2024.07.24 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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Figure 3A

AI summary

A knockdown apparatus for a finisher includes a register tray, a paddle coupled to a rotatable shaft to compile a recording medium toward an end of the register tray, and a knockdown device, provided above the register tray, to rotate to apply a downward force to the recording medium while the recording medium is in the register tray to decrease a curl in the recording medium.