Sheet Alignment Apparatus for Continuous Image Forming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet alignment systems in image forming systems are inefficient, leading to reduced processing speed and increased complexity, as they require stopping the conveyance of succeeding sheets during finishing operations, which limits high-speed performance and stability, and often cannot perform simultaneous longitudinal and lateral alignment without complicating the structure.
Innovation Solution
A sheet alignment apparatus with a sheet storage section, a sheet push-up section, a sheet discharge section comprising a pair of rollers, and a sheet width direction alignment section, controlled to align sheets in both the conveyance direction and width direction without interfering with the nip portion, allowing for continuous conveyance and reducing the need for complex alignment mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveyance of sheets is stopped during alignment processing, then the sheets can be properly aligned in the conveyance direction, but the processing speed is reduced and the system cannot utilize high-speed performance
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment processing is performed in advance on sheets that have already been conveyed into the intermediate stacker, before the finishing operations begin. This preliminary alignment allows subsequent high-speed finishing operations to proceed without stopping, as the sheets are already positioned correctly in the conveyance direction
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous conveyance of sheets through the intermediate stacker during alignment processing. The sheets are conveyed continuously and aligned in the conveyance direction without interrupting the flow, enabling both high-speed processing and proper alignment
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveyance is controlled to be suspended at the time of alignment, then the sheets can be aligned, but the control system becomes complicated and conveyance stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate stacker structure itself provides the alignment function through its inclined surface and gravity-assisted sheet movement. The sheets automatically align in the conveyance direction by sliding down the inclined surface, eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms to suspend and resume conveyance
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional alignment processing sections are used, then sheets can be aligned, but the succeeding sheet conveyance must be stopped during finishing operations, further reducing processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment is performed preliminarily on multiple sheets while they are being conveyed into the intermediate stacker, before the finishing operations start. This ensures that when finishing operations begin, all sheets are already aligned and ready for continuous high-speed processing without stopping for alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is separated from the finishing operations and integrated into the intermediate stacker's sheet reception and storage process. This segmentation allows alignment to occur independently and continuously during sheet intake, while finishing operations proceed separately without interruption
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
Enables high-speed sheet alignment without interrupting the conveyance of succeeding sheets, improving processing efficiency and reducing production costs by allowing simultaneous longitudinal and lateral alignment, thus enhancing the overall performance and stability of the image forming system.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet discharge section which is provided in a downstream of the sheet storage section in the sheet conveyance direction, is made up of a pair of rollers capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions, and conveys the sheet by rotating the pair of rollers in the forward direction while holding the sheet in a nip portion formed by the pair of roller
Implementation Method 2
a sheet push-up section configured to push up a trailing edge, in a sheet conveyance direction, of a sheet stored in the sheet storage section to convey the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction
Implementation Method 3
a sheet width direction alignment section which is provided between the sheet storage section and the sheet discharge section and aligns the sheet in a sheet width direction, which is perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, after the sheet is stored in the sheet storage section and before the sheet is discharged in the sheet conveyance direction by the pair of rollers
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet alignment apparatus includes: a sheet storage section for storing sheets; a sheet push-up section for conveying the sheets in the sheet discharge direction; a sheet discharge section having a pair of forward and reverse rotatable rollers configured to align sheet between the rollers and the sheet push-up section and to then discharge the sheets by sandwiching the sheet in the nip portion between the pair of rollers; and a sheet width direction alignment section located between the sheet storage section and the sheet discharge section and configured to align the sheets in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction, wherein the sheet discharge section causes the pair of rollers in the reverse direction so as to separate the sheet edge in the sheet discharge section from the nip portion before the lateral alignment performed by the sheet width direction alignment section.