Pushing Member Alignment for Sheet Trailing Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

In post-processing apparatuses, when multiple printing sheets of varying weights are stacked, the vertical positions of their trailing ends may not align properly, leading to accommodation failures in the compilation tray, as heavier sheets can cause leading ends to become lower, preventing proper alignment and transport.

Innovation Solution

A post-processing apparatus with a storing unit, a pushing member, and a controller that adjusts the position of the pushing member to support and align printing sheets based on their type, ensuring the trailing ends are correctly positioned for processing and ejection, using stoppers mounted on ejection belts that vary their stop positions according to sheet thickness to stabilize and align sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple printing sheets of varying weights are stacked in a compilation tray, then the quantity of processed sheets increases, but the vertical alignment of trailing ends deteriorates causing accommodation failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of printing sheetsVSAvoidvertical alignment of trailing ends

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is made movable along the guide rail, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted based on sheet thickness. The pushing member moves the stopper to different positions to push trailing ends of sheets with varying thicknesses, enabling the system to adapt to different sheet types while maintaining proper alignment and preventing accommodation failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper acts as an intermediary between the pushing member and the trailing ends of the sheets. It receives the pushing force from the pushing member and transfers it to the sheets, enabling controlled movement and alignment of sheets with different weights and thicknesses in the compilation tray

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heavier printing sheets are placed in the compilation tray, then the variety of processed materials increases, but the leading ends become lower preventing proper alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing of different sheet typesVSAvoidalignment of leading and trailing ends

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper position is dynamically adjusted based on sheet thickness and weight characteristics. For heavier or thicker sheets, the stopper is positioned to provide adequate support and alignment, preventing leading ends from becoming too low while ensuring proper placement in the compilation tray

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the position parameter of the stopper according to sheet properties. By adjusting the stopper position based on detected sheet thickness or type, the system maintains proper alignment for various sheet weights and thicknesses, enabling versatile processing while preserving alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10308466B2Post-processing apparatus including a pushing member

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A post-processing apparatus includes a storing unit that stores plural recording media for performing post-processing, a pushing member that pushes trailing ends of the recording media stored in the storing unit toward an ejection port, and a controller that controls the pushing member to stop at a position at which the pushing member supports a recording medium that is transported.