Punch Hole Aligning Pin Retry Control for Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet postprocessing apparatuses face errors in aligning punch holes, especially when the positional shift of punch holes is large, leading to pin penetration issues, which can result in apparatus deformation or crack formation, particularly with thick sheets or large numbers of sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet postprocessing apparatus with a pin that penetrates through punch holes, equipped with a detection system and a control mechanism to retry the penetration operation if the pin fails to penetrate within a reference time period, using a pivotable lever and optical sensors to manage the pin's position and time, and a counter to set trial limits, ensuring accurate alignment without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor or solenoid is made strong to ensure pin penetration, then the pin drive mechanism reliability is improved, but the apparatus size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of punch hole position and size before the pin penetration operation. Based on this detection information, the pin penetration parameters (such as driving force, speed, or depth) are adjusted in advance to match the actual conditions, ensuring reliable penetration without requiring excessive motor strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the pin penetration operation dynamically based on detected punch hole characteristics. By adjusting penetration depth, driving force, or speed according to the detected hole position and size, the system achieves reliable penetration with a motor of moderate strength, avoiding the need for an oversized motor
2Reliability
If the motor or solenoid is made strong to ensure pin penetration, then the pin drive mechanism reliability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of punch hole position and size before the pin penetration operation. Based on this detection information, the pin penetration parameters (such as driving force, speed, or depth) are adjusted in advance to match the actual conditions, ensuring reliable penetration without requiring excessive motor strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the pin penetration operation dynamically based on detected punch hole characteristics. By adjusting penetration depth, driving force, or speed according to the detected hole position and size, the system achieves reliable penetration with a motor of moderate strength, avoiding the need for an oversized motor
3Manufacturing precision
If the pin drives through the punch hole with strong force, then the alignment is achieved, but the punch hole may be deformed or cracked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pin penetration parameters (depth, force, speed) based on detected punch hole characteristics. By matching the penetration parameters to the actual hole conditions, the system achieves precise alignment while controlling the driving force to prevent punch hole deformation or cracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection means to obtain feedback information about punch hole position and size, then adjusts the pin penetration operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the pin penetrates accurately without applying excessive force that could deform or crack the punch hole
4Reliability
If the pin penetration force is increased to handle thick sheets, then the penetration reliability is improved, but the risk of punch hole deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pin penetration parameters (depth, force, speed) based on detected punch hole characteristics. By matching the penetration parameters to the actual hole conditions, the system achieves precise alignment while controlling the driving force to prevent punch hole deformation or cracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection means to obtain feedback information about punch hole position and size, then adjusts the pin penetration operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the pin penetrates accurately without applying excessive force that could deform or crack the punch hole
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 reduces alignment errors by allowing multiple attempts to penetrate the punch hole, preventing deformation or damage, and allows for precise alignment without the need for a strong motor or solenoid, thus avoiding costly apparatus enlargement.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet penetration detecting apparatus comprises a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. When the pin is disposed at the initial position, the lever blocks an optical path of the first optical sensor, and when the pin is disposed at the sheet penetrating position, the lever blocks an optical path of the second optical sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a sensor 48 for detecting penetration of a sheet by a punch hole aligning pin 42, and there is provided controlling means for retrying a penetrating operation by returning the punch hole aligning pin to an initial position when a time period from starting to move the pin to penetrating the sheet exceeds a reference time period. Even when a degree of unalignment of the punch hole of the sheet P is considerable and the punch hole aligning pin cannot penetrate through the sheet by once, the punch hole aligning pin is penetrated therethrough frequently by repeating the penetrating operation and therefore, an error in aligning the sheet can be reduced. In a case in which the pin is not penetrated through the sheet even when the penetrating operation is carried out by a predetermined number of times, the pin is returned to the initial position and an error is displayed.