Sheet Circulation Path Skew Correction in Post-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing devices struggle to accurately correct skew in sheets during overlay processes due to the bending of preceding sheets, which interferes with the conveyance of following sheets, leading to misalignment and inefficiencies in image forming systems.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a circulation conveyance path and a controller that circulates sheets through multiple conveyance paths, allowing precise control over the overlay of sheets by stopping and restarting conveyance to align leading edges, ensuring accurate skew correction and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the preceding sheet abuts against the conveyance roller in the sheet circulation path, then the sheets can be overlaid, but the preceding sheet bends and interferes with the conveyance of the following sheet, reducing skew correction accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the circulation conveyance path and the conveyance roller. The guide member receives the leading edge of the preceding sheet from the circulation path and guides it to abut against the conveyance roller, preventing direct bending of the preceding sheet while enabling accurate skew correction through controlled abutment.
2Productivity
If a pre-stack mechanism is added to temporarily store sheets, then productivity is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet circulation path serves multiple functions: it enables the pre-stack mechanism to temporarily store sheets for improved productivity, simultaneously provides the pathway for skew correction through controlled abutment against the conveyance roller, and facilitates the overlay process. This multi-functionality avoids the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Manufacturing precision
If the preceding sheet is circulated through multiple conveyance paths, then skew correction accuracy is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the conveyance state of sheets through the circulation path and adjusts the conveyance roller and guide member operations based on detected sheet positions and alignment status. This feedback control enables accurate skew correction despite the complex multi-path circulation, maintaining precision while managing control complexity through intelligent coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device (200) includes a circulation conveyance path, a zeroth conveyer (R0), and a controller (50). The circulation conveyance path includes a first conveyance path (W1), a second conveyance path (W2), a third conveyance path (W3), a first conveyer (R1), a second conveyer (R2), and a third conveyer (R3). The first and second conveyers convey a preceding sheet (P1) along the first and second conveyance paths. The third conveyer conveys it from the third conveyance path to the first conveyance path. The zeroth conveyer conveys a following sheet (P2) toward the first conveyer. The controller controls the third conveyer to stop the preceding sheet, subsequently controls the zeroth conveyer and the third conveyer to overlay the preceding sheet with the following sheet to form a sheet bundle (Q) having a shift amount (G) between a leading edges of the preceding sheet and the following sheet and strike the leading edges of the preceding sheet and the following sheet against the first conveyer.