Sheet Alignment via Shift Conveying and Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional postprocessing apparatuses for image forming devices are bulky and costly due to the need for a width direction aligning unit, which is not efficiently utilized for small sheet bindings, leading to increased resource consumption and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A postprocessing apparatus that eliminates the width direction aligning unit by using a shift conveying unit and a width direction detector to shift sheets until detected by a sensor, then abutting them against a reference fence, ensuring distances A and B are nearly equal to minimize width direction deviation, thereby improving alignment accuracy and simplifying the apparatus configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a width direction aligning unit is installed in the postprocessing apparatus, then sheet alignment capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the width direction aligning unit from the postprocessing apparatus, removing the complex alignment mechanism while maintaining alignment capability through an alternative method using the image forming apparatus's existing alignment system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image forming apparatus's aligning unit serve dual purposes: aligning sheets during the image formation process and preparing sheets for postprocessing, eliminating the need for a separate aligning unit in the postprocessing apparatus
2Manufacturing precision
If a width direction aligning unit is installed in the postprocessing apparatus, then sheet alignment capability is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the width direction aligning unit from the postprocessing apparatus, directly reducing the apparatus size while maintaining alignment functionality through the image forming apparatus's aligning unit
3Manufacturing precision
If a width direction aligning unit is installed in the postprocessing apparatus, then sheet alignment capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the width direction aligning unit from the postprocessing apparatus, reducing manufacturing cost by eliminating redundant components while maintaining alignment capability through the image forming apparatus's existing system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image forming apparatus's aligning unit perform multiple functions including alignment during image formation and preparation for postprocessing, reducing the need for separate components and lowering manufacturing cost
Data Source
AI summary
A postprocessing apparatus includes a stacking unit that stacks a sheet, an abutting unit that corrects a conveying direction of the sheet, a return roller that abuts the sheet against the abutting unit, a shift conveying unit that shifts the sheet in a width direction, and a width direction detector that detects a width direction position of the sheet. When the sheet is shifted by the shift conveying unit by a predetermined amount, passed to the return roller, and abutted against the abutting unit, distances A and B are nearly the same, where the distance A is a distance from a conveying direction position of a side of the sheet to a rear end of the sheet and the distance B is a distance from the return roller to the abutting unit.