Relay Transport Device Air Current Sheet Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In intermediary conveyance devices, air currents used for smooth sheet guidance can disrupt sheet discharging and alignment processes when sheets are conveyed between processing apparatuses, leading to misalignment and inefficient conveyance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a blower-generated air current to guide sheets into a storing section, followed by cessation of the air blast to ensure smooth discharge, allows for high-speed conveyance and alignment irrespective of sheet size or type, by controlling air flow direction through guide members and fans to prevent interference during discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air current is used to guide sheets into the sheet storing section, then sheet conveyance smoothness is improved, but sheet discharging and alignment are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing device is divided into multiple independent blowers (first blower and second blower) that operate at different times and locations. The first blower guides sheets into the storing section, while the second blower operates later to guide sheets from the storing section to the conveyance section, preventing air current interference during alignment and discharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The first blower performs the guiding action in advance before sheets need to be aligned or discharged. By completing the initial guidance into the storing section beforehand, subsequent alignment and discharging operations can proceed without air current interference.
2Productivity
If air current is continuously applied for sheet guidance, then conveyance efficiency is improved, but alignment process is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing device operates periodically rather than continuously. The first blower operates during sheet entry, then stops during alignment. The second blower operates later during discharge. This periodic operation maintains conveyance efficiency while ensuring alignment precision by eliminating air current interference during critical alignment phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Guidance by air current is performed in advance before alignment is needed. Once sheets enter the storing section, the air blowing stops, allowing subsequent alignment to occur in a calm environment without air current disruption.
3Speed
If air blowing is used for high-speed conveyance, then conveyance speed is improved, but sheet discharge smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing function is segmented into two distinct phases with different purposes: the first blower for high-speed conveyance into storage, and the second blower for gentle guidance during discharge. This segmentation allows high-speed conveyance without compromising discharge smoothness, as the second blower provides controlled, localized air guidance only when needed for discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
High-speed conveyance by the first blower is performed in advance to fill the storing section. The second blower then operates later to ensure smooth discharge, preventing air current interference that would occur if continuous blowing were used during the discharge phase.
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 approach enables smooth and efficient conveyance and discharge of sheets, allowing for high-speed operation without misalignment, even when dealing with varying sheet sizes and types, by managing air currents to avoid interference during the conveyance and alignment processes.
Implementation Method 1
when the sheet is brought into the sheet storing section, since the sheet is guided by the air current towards the sheet storing section generated by a blower, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet storing section smoothly
Implementation Method 2
When the sheet is conveyed form the sheet storing section to the sheet conveyance section, since the air blast ceases the sheet is discharged smoothly
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
When a sheet is brought into a sheet storage section (12), a fan 126 creates an air current towards the sheet storage part (12), and when the sheet is discharged from the sheet storage section (12), the fan stops air blow. Whereby, the conveyance of the sheet to the sheet storage section (12) is guided, and discharging of the sheet from the sheet storage section is smoothly carried out.