Post-processing Device Covering Member Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional post-processing devices for recording media after image forming processes lack efficient mechanisms for aligning and processing the media, particularly in covering and uncovering openings during the processing stages, which can lead to inefficiencies and noise leakage.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a moving outputting unit and a covering member that reciprocates between covering and uncovering positions, synchronized with the processing mechanism, to ensure efficient media alignment and noise containment during binding and output processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the opening is kept uncovered to allow recording media to pass through, then media output efficiency is improved, but noise from the processing mechanism leaks to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The covering member is positioned in advance to cover the opening during the binding process, and is moved to uncover the opening only after the binding is completed. This preliminary positioning of the covering member ensures that noise is contained during processing while media output remains efficient when the opening is uncovered.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering member is designed to move dynamically between covering and uncovering positions based on the processing state. It covers the opening during binding operations to contain noise, and uncovers the opening during media output to maintain efficiency. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between noise containment and output efficiency.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the covering member covers the opening during processing, then noise leakage is prevented, but media output is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The covering member operates periodically, covering the opening during binding operations and uncovering it during media output operations. This periodic switching between covering and uncovering states ensures that noise is contained during processing while media can be output efficiently when the opening is uncovered, without continuous blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering member transitions dynamically between covering and uncovering positions synchronized with the processing mechanism. It covers the opening only when the processing mechanism is actively binding media, and uncovers it when media needs to be output, thus preventing noise leakage without continuously blocking media output.
3Ease of operation
If the moving member contacts the recording medium for output, then media output control is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving member is designed to automatically contact the recording medium at the appropriate timing based on the processing state, without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The moving member moves to contact the medium when the covering member uncovers the opening, and withdraws when the opening is covered, providing self-service media output control that simplifies the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device includes: a casing having an opening; a processing mechanism performing a process on a recording medium; an outputting unit including a contacting member contacting the recording medium and a moving member moving between a contact position to contact the recording medium and a non-contact position not to contact the recording medium and coming close to the contacting member when moving to the contact position, the outputting unit outputting the recording medium via the opening when the moving member is in the contact position; and a covering member moving between a covering position to cover the opening and an un-covering position to uncover the opening to pass the recording medium. When the processing mechanism performs the process, the covering member moves to the covering position, and after the process is performed, the covering member moves to the un-covering position while the moving member moves to the contact position.