Sheet Conveyance Delivery Surface for Warp-Free Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveyance apparatuses face issues with sheet interference and order disruption due to sheet warp, which are not adequately addressed by complex sheet pressing mechanisms, leading to stockability problems.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance apparatus design featuring a sheet conveyance path with a delivery upper surface portion that includes an upstream and downstream upper surface, where the downstream portion is positioned lower than the upstream, combined with a sheet guiding frame and delivery rollers to prevent sheet interference with a simple configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a complex sheet pressing mechanism is used to suppress sheet warp, then sheet stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the delivery port surface from a horizontal plane to an inclined plane, creating a gradient in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows the downstream portion to be positioned lower than the upstream portion, enabling sheets to be delivered in an inclined state that naturally prevents warp without requiring complex pressing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the delivery port surface by creating an inclination where the downstream upper surface portion is located lower than the upstream upper surface portion. This parameter change in the vertical position along the conveyance direction enables natural sheet stabilization through gravitational assistance during delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If sheets are delivered horizontally to the delivery port, then ease of stacking is improved, but sheet interference occurs due to warp

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of stackingVSAvoidsheet interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from horizontal sheet delivery to inclined sheet delivery by positioning the downstream upper surface portion lower than the upstream portion. This dimensional change in the delivery angle allows sheets to be delivered while naturally preventing warp that causes interference, maintaining ease of stacking without the harmful effects of horizontal delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces asymmetry in the delivery port surface configuration, where the downstream portion is intentionally positioned at a different vertical level than the upstream portion. This asymmetric arrangement creates an inclined delivery path that prevents sheet interference while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the delivery port is designed with a simple configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but sheet warping control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsheet warping control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves effective sheet warping control with a simple configuration by changing the vertical position parameter of the delivery port surface. The downstream upper surface portion is positioned lower than the upstream portion, creating an inclination that naturally controls warping without requiring additional complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the vertical dimension to control sheet warping by creating an inclined delivery surface. This dimensional approach allows simple configuration while maintaining effective warping control through the inclined geometry that guides sheets during delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents sheet interference and allows for a compact delivery port design by guiding sheets to stack without warping, ensuring orderly delivery and reducing the risk of sheet interference with a simplified mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The downstream upper surface portion (6) is located in a lower position than the upstream upper surface portion (5)... guiding sheets to stack without warping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4610208A1Conveyance apparatus, corresponding image scanning apparatus, and corresponding image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4610208A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4610208A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4610208A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conveyance apparatus (100) includes a sheet conveyance path (1), a delivery port (7), and a delivery upper surface portion (4). A sheet S is conveyed on the sheet conveyance path (1). The sheet S conveyed on the sheet conveyance path (1) is delivered to the delivery port (7). The delivery upper surface portion (4) is continuous with an upper surface of the sheet conveyance path (1) and constitutes an upper surface of the delivery port (7). The delivery upper surface portion (4) includes an upstream upper surface portion (5) and a downstream upper surface portion (6). The upstream upper surface portion (5) is located on an upstream side in a direction in which the sheet S is conveyed. The downstream upper surface portion (6) is located on a downstream side in the direction in which the sheet S is conveyed. The downstream upper surface portion (6) is located in a lower position than the upstream upper surface portion (5).