Post-Processing Sheet Alignment Using Preliminary Counter-Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing devices face issues with media bulging during transport, leading to increased contact area and excessive force application, which can deteriorate alignment and cause misalignment of sheets.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a pressing section that applies a force opposite to the transport direction to reduce bulging before the feeding section engages, using mechanisms like rotating paddles or air blower units to minimize contact area and force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the transport section transports the medium toward the aligning section, then the medium is moved to the alignment position, but the medium may bulge in a direction away from the mounting section due to difficulty in resisting the transporting force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing section applies a pressing force having a component in a direction opposite from the transport direction before the feeding section applies feeding force. This preliminary counter-action prevents the medium from bulging during transport by opposing the transporting force, thereby maintaining medium flatness while enabling transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing section applies the pressing force to the medium before the feeding section engages. This preliminary action prepares the medium in a flat state prior to feeding, ensuring that the medium is properly positioned and flattened before the feeding force is applied, which improves alignment accuracy.
2Area of stationary object
If the medium bulges in the feeding section, then the feeding section comes into contact with a larger area of the medium, but excessive transporting force is applied to the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing section applies a pressing force opposite to the transport direction before feeding, which prevents medium bulging. By preventing bulging in advance, the contact area between the feeding section and medium is reduced to the necessary minimum, thereby avoiding excessive transporting force while maintaining adequate contact for feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing section changes the physical state of the medium by applying pressure to flatten it before feeding. This parameter change (from bulged to flat state) reduces the contact area with the feeding section, which in turn reduces the transporting force required and prevents excessive force application.
3Speed
If excessive transporting force is applied to the medium, then the medium is moved faster, but alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing section flattens the medium before the feeding section applies force. This preliminary flattening action ensures that the medium is in an optimal state for feeding, allowing accurate alignment without requiring excessive force, thereby maintaining both feeding speed and alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the medium's physical state from bulged to flat through pressing, the medium becomes more responsive to controlled feeding forces. This parameter change enables precise alignment while maintaining adequate feeding speed, as the flat medium can be accurately positioned without requiring excessive transporting force.
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
The solution effectively suppresses bulging, reducing excessive force and improving sheet alignment by minimizing contact area and force, thereby enhancing the alignment process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing section that is provided between the transport section and the aligning section, applies, to the medium, a pressing force having a component in a direction opposite from the transport direction, and applies the pressing force to the medium before the feeding section applies a feeding force to the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device includes a processing tray, an aligning plate, a transport section, a feeding section, and a pressing section. A sheet before being subjected to stapling processing by a stapler is to be mounted on the processing tray. The aligning plate aligns ends of a plurality of sheets. The transport section transports the sheet toward the aligning plate. The feeding section is provided between the transport section and the aligning plate and feeds the sheet in a transport direction. The pressing section is provided between the transport section and the aligning plate and applies, to the sheet, a pressing force having a component in a direction opposite from the transport direction. Further, the pressing section applies the pressing force to the sheet before the feeding section applies a feeding force to the sheet.