Movable Aligning Member for Sheet Stacking Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face difficulties in viewability and sheet removal due to the placement of joggers, which interfere with stacked sheets and obstruct vertical visibility when moved to their outermost positions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an aligning member that can move outwardly beyond the stacking portion's width, with a standby position set inwardly by a predetermined amount, allowing for improved viewability and easier sheet removal while reducing the apparatus's size by positioning trays above joggers in a vertical direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If trays are placed above joggers in vertical direction to reduce apparatus size, then apparatus size is reduced, but joggers interfere with sheet removal and viewability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jogger is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During sheet stacking, the jogger moves to an inner position to avoid interference. During sheet removal, it moves to an outer position to clear the path. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between compact vertical arrangement and ease of sheet removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The jogger automatically moves to the appropriate position before the relevant operation occurs. Before sheet stacking, it retracts inward; before sheet removal, it extends outward. This preliminary action ensures that the jogger is always in the correct position to facilitate the upcoming operation, preventing interference and improving both viewability and removal ease.
2Manufacturing precision
If joggers are evacuated to outermost positions for sheet alignment, then sheet alignment is achieved, but sheet removal becomes difficult and viewability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jogger transitions between two distinct positions: an outer position for sheet alignment and an inner position for sheet removal. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize for alignment precision during stacking and for removal ease during ejection, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The jogger performs periodic movement between outer and inner positions according to the operational cycle. It extends outward during the stacking phase for alignment, then retracts inward during the removal phase. This periodic action ensures that at any given time, the jogger is in the optimal position for the current operation, eliminating the trade-off between alignment and removal ease.
3Manufacturing precision
If aligning member moves outwardly beyond stacking portion for sheet alignment, then sheet alignment capability is improved, but sheet viewability and removal ease worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning member (jogger) dynamically adjusts its position based on operational requirements. When sheet alignment is needed, it moves outward to provide the necessary alignment capability. When sheet viewing or removal is required, it retracts inward to improve viewability and accessibility. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between alignment capability and viewability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion which temporarily stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; a discharge portion which discharges sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking portion; an aligning member which is provided downstream of the discharge portion in a sheet conveying direction and has a sheet holding surface capable of holding the lower surfaces of the sheet and a sheet aligning surface capable of abutting against end portions of the sheet in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, the aligning member being movable in the widthwise direction; a first stacking portion which is provided below the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet discharged from the discharge portion; and a second stacking portion which is provided above the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; wherein a standby position of the aligning member is at a position more inward than the outermost position in the widthwise direction, within the range through which the aligning member is movable.