Post-processing Apparatus Motor Control for Sheet Folding Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing apparatuses for image forming systems face challenges in achieving stable sheet conveyance after sheet folding processing, particularly due to abrupt changes in motor load during folding, which can lead to unstable conveyance and require large-sized motors to mitigate overshoots.
Innovation Solution
The proposed post-processing apparatus incorporates a control device that manages the motor drive by stopping the roller motor for a predetermined period after forming each fold line, allowing for stable sheet conveyance without the need for large-sized motors. This approach separates the motor drive for sheet folding and conveyance, preventing abrupt load changes from affecting subsequent conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor continues driving during sheet folding processing, then productivity is maintained, but abrupt load changes cause unstable conveyance and overshoots
Solution Approach 1:
The control device stops the motor in advance before the blade withdraws from the nip, preparing the system for stable conveyance. This preliminary stopping action prevents abrupt load changes when the blade releases the sheet, ensuring reliable conveyance while maintaining productivity through optimized timing.
2Reliability
If the motor is stopped during sheet folding, then conveyance stability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is stopped periodically at specific moments during the folding process rather than continuously. The control device stops the motor temporarily before blade withdrawal and then restarts it, creating a periodic action that maintains conveyance stability while minimizing total processing time through efficient timing of stop-and-start cycles.
3Reliability
If a large-sized motor is used, then overshoots are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large motor with high torque capacity, the system dynamically controls the motor operation by stopping it at critical moments during folding. This dynamic control approach allows a smaller motor to achieve the same overshoot reduction effect, simplifying the device while maintaining reliability.
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 enables stable sheet conveyance after folding, maintaining productivity without the expense or size constraints of large motors, by effectively managing motor load and preventing overshoots during sheet folding and conveyance processes.
Implementation Method 1
The blade presses into the sheet to form a fold line in the sheet
Implementation Method 2
The sheet folding roller pair conveys the sheet with the fold line formed therein by pinching the sheet at a nip between the sheet folding roller pair
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing apparatus includes a blade, a transfer mechanism, a sheet folding roller pair, a motor, a drive control device, and a control device. The blade presses into the sheet to form a fold line in the sheet. The transfer mechanism moves the blade toward and away from the sheet. The sheet folding roller pair conveys the sheet with the fold line formed by the blade by pinching the sheet at a nip between the sheet folding roller pair. The motor rotatively drives the sheet folding roller pair. The drive control device controls drive of the motor. The control includes a control circuit. When, through the processor executing a control program, the control device controls the transfer mechanism to withdraw from the nip the blade having been pressed into the sheet and the nip by the transfer mechanism, the control device controls the drive control device to stop the motor.