Movable Tray Sheet Post-Processing Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet post-processing devices face misalignment issues during bundle discharge due to variations in the presence or absence of sheets on the discharge tray, leading to inefficient discharge processes.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing device with a movable tray that adjusts its position based on the presence or absence of sheets, using a controller to ensure proper alignment and prevent misalignment by altering the height difference between the processing tray and the movable tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet discharge tray is moved upward when no upper surface is detected, then the discharge process can continue, but misalignment may occur with the sheets to be bundle-discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The controller moves the sheet discharge tray to a predetermined position before the bundle discharge process begins. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the tray is in the correct location and state before sheets are discharged, preventing misalignment while maintaining continuous discharge operation.
2Device complexity
If the tray position is fixed, then the device complexity is low, but misalignment occurs when sheets are discharged onto an empty tray
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet discharge tray is designed to be movable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the tray position based on detection results from the upper surface detection unit, allowing the tray to move to appropriate positions during different phases of the discharge process to prevent misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an upper surface detection unit to detect the presence of sheets on the discharge tray and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the tray position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents misalignment while maintaining simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing device includes a first tray to receive sheets from an image forming unit, a second tray to receive sheets from the first tray, and a third tray to receive sheets from the second tray. The third tray is movable relative to the second tray. A bundle claw is configured to move sheets in a first direction from the second tray to the third tray. A controller is configured to move the third tray relative to the second tray according to the sheets on the second tray. Depending on various characteristics of the sheets on the second tray or the presence of sheets already on the third tray, the position of the third tray may be changed to reduce possible misalignments of sheets in the transfer from the second to third tray.