Sheet Alignment Device with Fixed Reference Member

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet finishing apparatuses face challenges in aligning sheet stacks uniformly in the sheet width direction, leading to potential misalignment and increased operational time due to variations in sheet width and the need for longer movement distances of alignment members.

Innovation Solution

A sheet alignment device with a first alignment member that moves between a receiving and alignment position to push the sheet stack, and a second alignment member that remains stationary to stop the stack, allowing for precise alignment and reduced operational time by setting an arbitrary reference side for alignment operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If both alignment members move simultaneously to align sheet stack, then alignment function is provided, but sheet stack cannot be properly aligned and may be tossed to undetermined side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment functionVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making one alignment member fixed and the other movable, rather than both moving. The fixed alignment member provides a stable reference point that prevents the sheet stack from being tossed to an undetermined side, while the movable alignment member performs the actual alignment action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making one alignment member movable and the other fixed. The movable alignment member can adjust its position to push the sheet stack against the fixed alignment member, enabling precise alignment while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If one alignment member is completely fixed at sheet receiving position, then alignment stability is improved, but operation period increases due to greater movement distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidoperation period

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making one alignment member fixed and the other movable, rather than both moving. The fixed alignment member provides a stable reference point that prevents the sheet stack from being tossed to an undetermined side, while the movable alignment member performs the actual alignment action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making one alignment member movable and the other fixed. The movable alignment member can adjust its position to push the sheet stack against the fixed alignment member, enabling precise alignment while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If pair of alignment members push both end sides of sheet stack, then alignment is attempted, but sheet stack may be tossed and keep non-uniform surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment operationVSAvoidalignment uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making one alignment member fixed and the other movable, rather than both moving. The fixed alignment member provides a stable reference point that prevents the sheet stack from being tossed to an undetermined side, while the movable alignment member performs the actual alignment action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making one alignment member movable and the other fixed. The movable alignment member can adjust its position to push the sheet stack against the fixed alignment member, enabling precise alignment while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1876123B1Sheet alignment device, sheet finishing apparatus including the same, and image processing system including the same

Publication Date: 2017.01.04 RICOH CO LTD

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Figure 5A

AI summary

A sheet alignment device, that is included in a sheet finishing apparatus (PD1, PD2) integrally mounted with an image forming apparatus to an image forming system (1000) or connected to the image forming apparatus, includes an accommodating unit (434, F) configured to temporarily accommodate a paper sheet (S) and a paper sheet stack including the paper sheet (S) therein, and a sheet alignment unit configured to align the sheet stack including the paper sheet in a direction perpendicular to a sheet travel direction. The sheet alignment unit has a first alignment member (53a) configured to move between a sheet receiving position and a sheet alignment position along the direction perpendicular to the sheet travel direction to push the sheet stack and a second alignment member (53b) configured to move to a fixed position and remain stationary thereat so as to stop the sheet stack pushed by the first alignment member (53a).