Sheet Aligning Apparatus Prevents Corner Bending
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet aligning apparatuses cause corner bending and skewing of sheets when aligning them on a process tray, leading to issues during post-processing tasks like stapling, as the concurrent conveying and aligning forces can result in uneven pressure distribution, affecting the positioning and alignment of sheets of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A method where the conveyance means moves sheets toward a restraining stopper with controlled pressure, and the aligning means adjusts the sheets' width direction separately, using a regulating plate to prevent corner bending and skewing by sequencing the operations of the conveyance and aligning mechanisms to ensure uniform force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conveying means and aligning means are actuated concurrently on sheets, then sheets are moved toward restraining stopper and aligned in width direction simultaneously, but sheets are bent at corner and cause skew
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment process is divided into two separate phases: first the conveying means moves sheets toward the restraining stopper, then the aligning means adjusts sheets in the width direction. This segmentation of operations prevents simultaneous application of forces that causes corner bending, while still achieving efficient alignment through sequential processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying means is actuated first to position sheets near the restraining stopper before the aligning means operates. This preliminary action ensures sheets are in the correct longitudinal position before width alignment begins, preventing force conflicts that would cause skew and corner bending.
2Ease of operation
If conveying force and aligning force are applied concurrently to sheets, then sheets are positioned in conveying direction and width direction simultaneously, but reaction force from restraining stopper causes bent sheet ears
Solution Approach 1:
The operation is segmented into two distinct steps: first applying conveying force to move sheets in the conveying direction, then applying aligning force to adjust width position. This prevents the generation of large reaction forces from simultaneous operations, eliminating bent sheet ears while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying and aligning operations are performed periodically in sequence rather than simultaneously. The conveying means operates first, then stops, followed by the aligning means operation. This periodic action pattern prevents force conflicts and ensures accurate sheet positioning without deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of aligning a sheet on a tray, the sheet on the tray is transferred toward a stopper member in one direction by a transfer device. Then, the sheet is moved in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the one direction to align the sheet in the sheet width direction by an aligning device. Further, force is provided to the sheet on the tray to move the sheet in the one direction by the transfer device while the aligning device regulates the sheet in the sheet width direction.