Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus with Synchronized Discharge and Flexible Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet post-processing apparatuses face issues with sheet alignment during stapling and sorting, leading to deteriorated quality, and struggle with compact design due to independent rotation shafts of discharge components, resulting in space inefficiency and potential sheet conveying errors.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing apparatus with a paper discharge roller and bundle hook on the same rotation shaft, where the tangential speed of the paper discharge roller is decelerated during sheet stacking, and a flexible sheet pressing guide is used to ensure stable alignment and stacking, preventing errors and allowing for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the paper discharge roller and bundle hook are mounted on different rotation shafts, then each component can be independently driven, but the apparatus cannot be manufactured in a small size and space cannot be saved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the paper discharge roller and bundle hook onto a single common rotation shaft, merging two previously separate driving systems into one unified drive mechanism. This merging reduces the overall apparatus volume while maintaining the functional independence of both components through shared rotational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The common rotation shaft serves dual functions by simultaneously driving both the paper discharge roller and the bundle hook. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate motors and transmission systems, achieving compact dimensions while preserving independent operational capability of each component.
2Speed
If the bundle hook moves faster than the paper discharge roller, then sheet discharge speed is improved, but sheet conveying errors and discharging errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed coordination between the bundle hook and paper discharge roller during the sheet discharge process. The speeds are adjusted in real-time based on the discharge stage, ensuring the bundle hook does not exceed the roller's speed, thereby preventing sheet conveying errors while maintaining efficient discharge performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates speed synchronization control that monitors and adjusts the rotational speeds of the bundle hook and paper discharge roller. This feedback mechanism ensures that the bundle hook speed remains coordinated with the roller speed, preventing discharge errors and maintaining reliable sheet conveying throughout the operation.
3Productivity
If the sheets are not stacked in an aligned state before stapling, then the stapling process can proceed without pre-alignment, but the quality of the stapling process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment actions through the synchronized discharge mechanism that ensures sheets are properly positioned and aligned during the discharge process before reaching the stapling station. This pre-alignment is achieved through coordinated control of the bundle hook and paper discharge roller, maintaining both productivity and stapling quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet post-processing apparatus discharges and conveys a sheet from a process tray to a storage tray, and decelerates a bundle hook and a paper discharge roller when the bundle hook reaches a discharge start position of a bundle of sheets. At this time, a tangential speed of the paper discharge roller is faster than a movement speed of the bundle hook. Subsequently, the sheet post-processing apparatus stops the paper discharge roller in accordance with a rotation position of the bundle hook, and then decelerates the movement speed of the bundle hook. After the sheets are stacked on the storage tray, the bundle hook accelerates to return to a home position. Additionally, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a spool 17 having a sheet pressing guide member 16 with a bent portion 16A. When the sheets are conveyed to a process tray 13, the spool 17 is rotated forward to longitudinally align the sheets and then is backwardly rotated to press the sheets using elastic force of the sheet pressing guide member 16, thereby preventing a gap from occurring between the sheets or preventing the sheets from being misaligned.