Linear Holding Member for Sheet Discharge Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet discharge apparatuses with movable receiving trays face challenges in stacking sheets due to contact-sliding issues, which disrupt the alignment of stapled bundles, and require complex structures with additional driving mechanisms, increasing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A sheet discharge apparatus with a wall member and a holding member that moves linearly to hold sheets between itself and the tray, allowing for efficient sheet alignment and stacking without relying on tray height, using sensors and motors for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If holding members are installed on the rotary shaft to hold sheets, then sheet holding function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet holding functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the driving mechanism from the holding member assembly. Instead of integrating a rotary shaft and driver directly into the holding member, the holding member is simplified as a separate component that can be actuated independently, removing unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining the sheet holding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rotary shaft driving system with a more simplified actuation mechanism. The holding member can be moved linearly without requiring a complex rotary shaft assembly, reducing structural complexity while achieving the same functional result of holding sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If holding members rotate to hold sheets, then sheet holding is achieved, but the holding operation is limited to the neighborhood of the rotary shaft position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet holding capabilityVSAvoidholding operation range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the holding member dynamically movable along the discharge direction rather than fixed at a specific position. This allows the holding member to adapt to different tray heights and discharge positions, extending the holding operation range beyond the fixed rotary shaft position while maintaining reliable sheet holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If holding members rotate with small angle for high sheets, then sheet holding is maintained, but the holding surfaces may hit on sheets and press them out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet holding stabilityVSAvoidsheet pressing out

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the holding member to adapt to sheet height, the patent inverts the approach by moving the holding member linearly along the discharge direction. This eliminates the rotational motion that causes the holding surfaces to hit and press sheets, while still achieving stable sheet holding through the linear movement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7950652B2Sheet discharge apparatus, image forming apparatus and sheet discharging method

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge sheets, a wall member provided below the discharge portion, a tray configured to receive the discharged sheets from the discharge portion, and a holding member provided on the wall member to approach relatively the tray, holding the sheets between itself and the tray, and moving linearly by holding the sheets.