Width-Direction Sheet Bundle Conveyance for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices face challenges in aligning sheet bundles due to size restrictions, leading to alignment disorders, especially when downsized, and the conveyance speed adjustments based on media count or weight are not sufficient to maintain alignment.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a sheet stacker and width-direction conveyor, controlled by circuitry to convey sheet bundles at varying speeds based on sheet length and processing conditions, ensuring precise alignment and positioning for binding operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sheet conveying device is downsized to fit housing restrictions, then the device can be installed in compact spaces, but the alignment member becomes shorter relative to the media bundle length, causing alignment disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance speed variable rather than constant. The control unit adjusts the conveyance speed of the alignment member based on real-time detection of media bundle characteristics (length, weight, number of sheets). This dynamic speed adjustment allows the shorter alignment member to maintain proper alignment by adapting the conveyance rhythm to match the specific dimensions of each media bundle, resolving the contradiction between compact device size and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of conveyance speed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is adjusted based on media bundle characteristics. The control unit modifies the conveyance speed parameter in response to detected variations in media bundle length, weight, or sheet count, enabling the alignment member to maintain accurate positioning despite the reduced device size and shorter alignment member length.
2Productivity
If the conveyance speed is increased for light media bundles to reduce processing time, then productivity improves, but alignment may be disturbed due to insufficient contact time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyance speed based on media bundle characteristics. For light media bundles (fewer sheets or lower weight), the control unit increases the conveyance speed to improve productivity. For heavy media bundles (more sheets or higher weight), the speed is reduced to ensure adequate contact time and prevent alignment disturbances. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between productivity and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance speed parameter is changed from a constant value to a variable that is optimized based on media bundle weight and sheet count. The control unit modifies this parameter in real-time, increasing speed for light bundles to enhance productivity while maintaining alignment precision, and reducing speed for heavy bundles to prevent alignment disorders, thus resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the alignment member contacts only a portion of the media bundle length, then the device can be downsized, but the force distribution becomes uneven causing alignment disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the conveyance speed of the alignment member based on the detected characteristics of the media bundle. When the alignment member contacts only a portion of the media bundle (due to downsizing), the control unit modifies the conveyance speed to compensate for the reduced contact area. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the force application remains effective and evenly distributed across the contact portion, maintaining alignment stability despite the shorter alignment member.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance speed parameter is adjusted based on the ratio between alignment member length and media bundle length. When the alignment member is shorter and contacts only a portion of the media bundle, the control unit changes the conveyance speed parameter to optimize force distribution. This parameter adjustment compensates for the limited contact area, ensuring stable alignment and resolving the contradiction between device downsizing and alignment stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a sheet stacker, a width-direction conveyor, and circuitry. The sheet stacker stacks multiple sheets including a sheet to form a sheet bundle on the sheet stacker. The width-direction conveyor conveys the sheet bundle on the sheet stacker in a width direction of the sheet. The circuitry is to control the width-direction conveyor to convey the sheet bundle on the sheet stacker to a given position in the width direction at a first speed or a second speed slower than the first speed, based on sheet information including a length of the sheet and a processing condition related to forming the sheet bundle.