Rotating Guide Member for Sheet Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses in image forming systems face challenges in reducing the likelihood of collisions between newly discharged sheets and previously supported sheets on trays, leading to alignment disturbances and discharge failures.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a guide member that includes a first and second guide portion, where the guide member is rotatably driven to position the trailing end of a preceding sheet above the first guide portion, allowing a succeeding sheet to pass above it, thereby reducing collisions by ensuring proper alignment and spacing during discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are discharged onto a supporting portion such as a processing tray or discharge tray, then the sheet processing apparatus can complete the discharge operation, but the leading end of a newly discharged sheet may collide with the trailing end of a sheet already supported on the tray, causing alignment disturbance or discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is rotated to a predetermined position before the succeeding sheet is discharged, creating a buffer zone that prevents collision between the leading end of the succeeding sheet and the trailing end of the preceding sheet. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the sheet is discharged, the collision is avoided.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary element between the conveying sheet and the supported sheets on the tray. By rotating the guide member to a predetermined position, it creates a buffer zone that mediates the potential collision, allowing the sheet to be discharged smoothly without direct contact between the leading end of the succeeding sheet and the trailing end of the preceding sheet.
2Manufacturing precision
If a lever for pressing the trailing end portion of sheets is provided and moved by swinging the lever using a solenoid device, then the alignment of sheets can be improved, but the possibility of collision between sheets cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is configured to rotate to a predetermined position dynamically based on the discharge timing. This rotational movement creates a dynamic buffer zone that adapts to the discharge process, preventing collision between sheets while maintaining alignment, overcoming the limitation of static pressing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using only horizontal pressing motion (one dimension), the guide member introduces vertical rotation motion (another dimension) to create a buffer zone. This dimensional change allows the system to prevent collision by positioning the guide member above the supported sheets, adding a new degree of freedom to the alignment and collision prevention mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If a pressing member and guide member are caused to operate in a coordinated manner, then sheet alignment can be improved, but the possibility of collision between sheets cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is rotated to a predetermined position before the sheet discharge occurs, creating a buffer zone in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the succeeding sheet is discharged, the collision is prevented because the guide member is already positioned to provide the necessary buffer space.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member serves as an intermediary that coordinates with the pressing member to not only align sheets but also prevent collision. By rotating to a predetermined position, it creates a buffer zone that mediates the interaction between the conveying sheet and the supported sheets, enhancing both alignment and collision prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a controller controlling a driver to cause a guide to start rotation in a state in which a trailing end in a sheet conveyance direction of a preceding sheet conveyed by a roller pair having a first roller and a second roller such that the trailing end of the preceding sheet is moved from the position above a first guide to a position between a second guide and a sheet support by the rotation of the guide and that a succeeding sheet conveyed by the roller pair subsequently to the preceding sheet passes the position above the first guide after the rotation of the guide. The first roller is rotated by a driving force supplied from a driving source, and the guide rotates about a rotation axis of the first roller while rotating relatively to the first roller.