Sheet Aligning Apparatus with Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet aligning apparatuses in image forming systems face challenges with misalignment due to static electricity and air layers between sheets, leading to inconsistent alignment characteristics, which require detailed control settings and increase operator burden, and there is no clear confirmation of proper alignment until the post-processed sheet bundle is discharged.

Innovation Solution

A sheet aligning apparatus equipped with a detecting device, such as an electrostatic capacitance sensor, to detect misalignment and a control portion to adjust the aligning member's position, ensuring accurate alignment and realignment of sheets, thereby improving alignment reliability and reducing operator input requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If detailed control settings are implemented to improve alignment accuracy, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and operator burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcontrol setting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aligning member automatically adjusts its position based on detection signals from the detecting device, eliminating the need for manual control settings. The system self-regulates by detecting sheet bundle position and autonomously moving the aligning member to correct misalignment, thereby maintaining high alignment precision while reducing device complexity and operator burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detecting device continuously monitors the position of the sheet bundle and provides feedback signals to the control portion. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of the aligning member's position, ensuring consistent alignment precision without requiring complex manual control settings or operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual control settings are required for alignment, then alignment precision can be maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidoperator input requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic alignment through the detecting device and control portion, eliminating the need for operator input. The aligning member autonomously corrects misalignment based on detection signals, maintaining alignment precision while significantly improving ease of operation by requiring no manual control settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated detection and control system. The detecting device (electrostatic capacitance sensor) and control portion substitute for manual operator intervention, automatically moving the aligning member to maintain alignment precision without requiring operator input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If alignment detection is not implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of alignment status deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidmisalignment detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting device provides continuous position feedback of the sheet bundle, enabling real-time detection of misalignment. This feedback capability ensures high measurement precision of alignment status while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of a straightforward electrostatic capacitance detection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an electrostatic capacitance sensor to detect sheet bundle position, replacing complex mechanical measurement systems. This electronic detection method achieves high measurement precision for misalignment detection while keeping the detection system relatively simple in structure and operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus effectively detects and corrects misalignment, ensuring reliable sheet alignment and reducing the complexity of operator input, enhancing the overall efficiency and accuracy of the sheet alignment process.

Implementation Method 1

a detecting device that is configured to detect shifting of a sheet from a sheet bundle aligned at the aligning position as misalignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9926153B2Sheet aligning apparatus, image forming system and sheet post-processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC

AI summary

The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, causes the front aligning member to be moved from the aligning position to a detecting position, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). When it is determined that the sensor detects misalignment, the front aligning member is moved from the detecting position to the aligning position so that sheets are realigned.