Movable Pressing Portion for Thick Sheet Bundle Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet post-processing apparatuses face difficulties in conveying thick sheet bundles due to insufficient conveyance force, leading to issues like the bundle stopping short of the nip portion and imbricate stacking being broken, especially when the length of the conveyer belt is extended.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing apparatus with a moving portion that moves the pressing portion upstream in the conveyance direction to ensure the sheet bundle is pressed effectively, allowing it to easily enter the nip portion, and a conveyer belt that conveys the sheet bundle downstream while the pressing portion is moved to maintain continuous conveying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the length of the conveyer belt is extended to increase stacking amount, then the stacking capacity is improved, but the device size increases and conveyance force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion is made movable along the conveyance direction rather than being fixed. It moves upstream to press thick sheet bundles that have stopped short of the nip portion, and moves downstream to maintain continuous conveying. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying bundle thicknesses and conveyance states without extending the conveyer belt length.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the pressing portion is changed as a variable parameter along the conveyance direction. By adjusting its position upstream or downstream based on the thickness of sheet bundles, the system optimizes pressing effectiveness and maintains continuous conveyance without increasing the overall device size or conveyer belt length.
2Device complexity
If the pressing portion is stationary, then the device structure is simplified, but thick sheet bundles stop short of the nip portion and imbricate stacking is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion transitions from a stationary component to a movable one that can adjust its position along the conveyance direction. This movement capability enables it to reach and press thick sheet bundles that stop short of the nip portion, ensuring reliable conveyance and maintaining imbricate stacking without significantly complicating the device structure.
3Productivity
If the conveyer belt conveys sheet bundles without interruption, then productivity is improved, but thick sheet bundles may stop short of the nip portion
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion moves downstream to maintain continuous conveying of sheet bundles through the stacking process. This continuous movement ensures that productivity is not interrupted while still allowing the pressing portion to reach upstream when needed to press thick bundles that stop short, thus maintaining both continuity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing portion dynamically adjusts its position to balance continuous conveying with effective pressing. It moves downstream to maintain flow and productivity, but can move upstream when thick bundles require additional pressing to reach the nip portion, ensuring conveyance completeness without sacrificing productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures that thick sheet bundles are conveyed without stopping short of the nip portion, maintaining imbricate stacking and preventing damage to preceding bundles, thus enhancing the stacking efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyer belt that conveys the sheet bundle downstream
Implementation Method 2
a pressing portion arranged at a position opposing the conveyance portion, to press an upper surface of the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge a sheet having a folding portion, a conveyance portion configured to abut on a lower surface of the sheet discharged by the discharge portion, to convey the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction of the discharge portion, a pressing portion arranged at a position opposing the conveyance portion, configured to press an upper surface of the sheet discharged by the discharge portion, and a moving portion configured to move the pressing portion in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance portion, in which the moving portion moves the pressing portion upstream in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance portion, to move the pressing portion from a position where the sheet discharged by the discharge portion is not pressed to a position where the sheet discharged by the discharge portion is pressed.