Medium Processing Device Stepwise Pressurizing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium processing devices face issues with securely pressurizing sheet-shaped media as the stacking thickness increases, leading to potential jams due to inadequate pressure distribution, especially when the media is thin or thick.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a medium processing device with a first and second pressurizing member that cooperate to apply a stepwise increasing pressurizing force based on the stacking thickness, with the first member providing initial pressure and the second member engaging when the thickness exceeds a predetermined level, along with a third member for additional support, to ensure secure storage and prevent jams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a single pressing plate is used to pressurize sheet-shaped media, then the device structure remains simple, but the pressurizing force becomes insufficient when stacking thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressurizing forceVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism is divided into multiple pressing members (first pressing member and second pressing member) that can independently apply pressure to different portions of the stacked media. This segmentation allows the system to handle varying stacking thicknesses effectively while maintaining manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing members are designed with movable structures that can adjust their positions and apply dynamic pressure based on the stacking thickness of the media. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different loading conditions without requiring a completely different structure for each thickness level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If pressurizing force is increased to handle thick stacks, then secure storage is improved, but media jam due to buckling occurs with thin media

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure storageVSAvoidmedia jam
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different pressing members apply different levels of pressure to different local regions of the stacked media based on the actual stacking thickness. This local quality approach ensures that thin media receives appropriate pressure without excessive force that would cause buckling, while thick stacks receive sufficient pressure for secure storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing system changes the pressure parameters dynamically based on the stacking thickness of the media. By adjusting the pressing force according to the actual load, the system prevents media jam in thin stacks while ensuring secure storage in thick stacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple pressurizing members are added to handle varying thickness, then pressurizing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressurizing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of pressurizing members
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pressing members are merged into a coordinated system where they work together to handle different stacking thicknesses. The first and second pressing members are integrated with common control mechanisms, allowing them to function as a unified system that improves pressurizing effectiveness without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3483101B1Medium processing device
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3483101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3483101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3483101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medium processing device (1) includes a medium storage portion (13) configured to stack sheet-shaped media (6) to store the sheet-shaped media, a first pressurizing member (51a) configured to pressurize the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion, and a second pressurizing member (51b) configured to pressurize the sheet-shaped media in cooperation with the first pressurizing member when a stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness.