Rotatable Pressing Member for Curl Suppression in Post-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing devices face challenges in maintaining the quality of post-processing operations, such as end binding, punching, or center binding, on bundles of sheets that tend to curl due to ink absorption and drying, leading to expanded thickness and subsequent processing errors.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a processing tray, alignment unit, and a pressing member that moves in conjunction with the post-processing unit, ensuring the pressing member remains in contact with the medium to suppress swelling and maintain alignment, utilizing a rotatable pressing member with a conical shape to prevent scratches and ensure accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pressing member separates from the medium when the post-processing unit moves, then the post-processing unit can move freely to perform different operations, but the thickness of the medium bundle expands due to curl and the quality of post-processing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to dynamically change its state between pressing and non-pressing positions. It can press the medium during alignment and remain in contact during post-processing unit movement, then press again during the actual post-processing operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational phases while maintaining medium stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member performs preliminary pressing action during the alignment phase before the post-processing operation begins. This preliminary action suppresses medium curl and expands the medium thickness in advance, ensuring the medium is in an optimal state for subsequent post-processing operations like stapling or punching.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pressing member remains in contact with the medium during post-processing unit movement, then the medium alignment is maintained and swelling is suppressed, but the pressing member may cause scratches or interfere with the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member features a pressing surface with a specific texture or coating that provides sufficient friction to suppress medium curl and maintain alignment, while being gentle enough to avoid scratching the medium surface. The local quality of the pressing surface is optimized to balance grip and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective layer or coating is applied to the pressing member surface that acts as an intermediary between the pressing member and the medium. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact that could cause scratches, while still providing sufficient friction to suppress medium curl and maintain alignment during the process.
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 improves the quality of post-processing by maintaining alignment and suppressing swelling, reducing errors in stapling, punching, or folding operations on curled media bundles, ensuring precise and reliable processing outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing member configured to press the end portion of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device includes a processing tray on which a medium on which recording was performed by a recording unit is loaded, a rear end alignment unit that aligns a rear end (an example of an end portion) of the medium on the processing tray, a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium aligned by the rear end alignment unit, and a pressing member that presses the rear end of the medium. The post-processing unit is configured to be movable. The pressing member is provided to be rotatable in conjunction with movement of the post-processing unit, in a state in which the pressing member is in contact with the medium aligned by the rear end alignment unit.