Sheet Conveyance Unit Guide Switching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet post-processing apparatuses face issues with sheet conveyance due to height differences between the image forming apparatus and sheet post-processing apparatus, leading to paper jams and increased installation time, especially when dealing with soft sheets like thin paper.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveyance unit with a guide switching mechanism that adjusts the position of the inlet guide between a conveyance position and a separation position, allowing for smooth sheet delivery by accommodating varying heights between the discharge and inlet guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the width of the conveyance guide is increased to compensate for height difference, then the height difference between discharge port and inlet port is accommodated, but soft sheets curl at the inlet port causing paper jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight difference accommodationVSAvoidsheet conveyance smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet guide is made movable between a separated position (for insertion) and a pressed position (for conveyance), allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different operational states rather than being fixed in one configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the width of the conveyance guide is reduced to prevent sheet curling, then sheet conveyance smoothness is improved, but precise height adjustment between apparatuses is required increasing installation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet conveyance smoothnessVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the positional parameter of the inlet guide dynamically - separated during installation for easy insertion, and pressed during operation for smooth conveyance, rather than requiring a fixed narrow configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the inlet guide is kept in pressed position during insertion, then sheet conveyance is optimized, but discharge guide insertion becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet conveyance smoothnessVSAvoidguide insertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet guide is preliminarily positioned in the separated state before insertion occurs, enabling easy discharge guide insertion, and then switched to pressed position after insertion to optimize conveyance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10919720B2Sheet conveyance unit and sheet conveyance system including same

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A sheet conveyance unit includes a sheet inlet port, an inlet guide, and a guide switching mechanism. The inlet guide has an upper guide and a lower guide below the upper guide. The guide switching mechanism switches a position of the inlet guide between a conveyance position at which the upper guide and the lower guide face each other with a first distance and a separation position at which the upper guide and the lower guide are spaced from each other by a second distance greater than the first distance. To connect the sheet conveyance unit to the sheet discharge unit, the inlet guide is disposed to the separation position before the discharge guide is inserted between the upper guide and the lower guide, and is disposed to the conveyance position after the discharge guide is inserted between the upper guide and the lower guide.