Sheet Alignment Gripping Mechanism Prevents Rebound Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses experience sheet misalignment due to rebound when horizontal alignment plates are moved away after width alignment, causing a gap between the central position of the conveyance path and the sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus with a first alignment section for vertical alignment, a second alignment section for width alignment using horizontal plates that move along the width direction to contact and release the sheets, and a gripping section that grips the sheet centrally to prevent shifting during plate movement, combined with a control system to manage the alignment plates' position and a sheet ejection mechanism using conveyance rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pair of horizontal alignment plates is used to press both ends in the width direction of sheets for width alignment, then width alignment can be performed firmly even when there are gaps in width among individual sheets, but the sheets bounce due to rebound when the alignment plates are moved away and a gap occurs between the central position in the width direction of the conveyance path and the central position in the width direction of the sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section grips the sheet at its central portion in the width direction before the horizontal alignment plates are moved away, creating a counteracting force against the anticipated rebound. This preliminary action prevents the sheet from bouncing and maintains central position alignment after the alignment plates release the sheet ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping section is activated to hold the sheet at its central portion before the horizontal alignment plates complete their withdrawal. This ensures that when the alignment plates move away, the sheet is already secured at its center, preventing any subsequent shifting or bouncing that would occur without prior gripping.
2Ease of operation
If the pair of horizontal alignment plates is moved away from the sheets after width alignment operation, then the alignment plates can return to their initial position for the next sheet, but the sheets bounce and the central position in the width direction shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section is activated in advance to counteract the harmful rebound effect that occurs when the horizontal alignment plates are moved away. By gripping the sheet at its central portion, it provides a stabilizing force that prevents the sheet from bouncing, allowing the alignment plates to move freely while maintaining sheet position precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping section acts as an intermediary between the horizontal alignment plates and the sheet. While the alignment plates contact only the ends of the sheet, the gripping section secures the central portion, mediating the transition from aligned to unaligned state and preventing position shifts during plate withdrawal.
3Reliability
If the gripping section grips the sheet at a central portion in the width direction, then the central position stability is maintained during plate movement, but the device complexity increases due to the additional gripping mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section is integrated with the first alignment section, which includes the supporting section. This merging of functions allows the gripping mechanism to be controlled in coordination with the horizontal alignment plates, achieving central position stability without requiring a completely separate, complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping section serves multiple functions: it holds the sheet at its central portion to prevent rebound, maintains alignment during plate withdrawal, and prepares the sheet for subsequent processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus, including: a stacking section; a first alignment section which aligns both end portions in a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet stacked in the stacking section; a second alignment section which aligns both end portions in a width direction, that is orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, of the sheet aligned by the first alignment section; a sheet ejection section which ejects the sheet stacked in the stacking section outside the stacking section; and a control section which moves a pair of horizontal alignment plates away from the both end portions in the width direction of the sheet after operating a gripping section so as to grip the sheet in a state where the pair of horizontal alignment plates contacts the both end portions in the width direction of the sheet supported by a supporting section.