Sheet Discharge Guide Rib Oblique Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet discharge devices often cause sheets to be discharged obliquely, leading to potential blockages by the upper member, especially when thin sheets pass through discharge rollers, as the front edge can be inclined, increasing the likelihood of the sheet being caught by the bottom face of the upper member.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating guide ribs on the bottom face of the upper member that extend obliquely, inclined to the transport direction, to guide the sheet and prevent it from making contact with the bottom face, thereby reducing the likelihood of blockages. These guide ribs can be positioned on the side edges and are designed to be gradually higher from the upstream to the downstream side, with varying inclination angles and configurations to accommodate different sheet sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the upper member is disposed close to the discharge tray to save space, then the device structure is more compact, but the sheet is likely to be caught by the bottom face of the upper member during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
Guide ribs are introduced as intermediary structures on the bottom face of the upper member. These ribs create a controlled interaction surface that redirects the sheet during discharge, preventing the sheet from being caught by protrusions while maintaining compact device dimensions. The guide ribs act as a mediator between the sheet and the upper member bottom face.
2Strength
If protrusions (reinforcing ribs) are disposed on the bottom face of the upper member for structural strength, then the upper member strength is improved, but the sheet is likely to be caught by these protrusions during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom face of the upper member is designed with non-uniform local qualities: guide ribs are strategically positioned in areas where sheets pass through, while other areas maintain structural reinforcement. This localized differentiation allows the structure to provide both strength and smooth sheet discharge paths, preventing obstruction while maintaining structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge rollers shift the sheet along the axial direction for sorting, then the sheet sorting function is improved, but the sheet may make sliding contact with the upper member and be caught
Solution Approach 1:
Guide ribs serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the sliding contact between the sheet and the upper member during axial shifting for sorting. Rather than preventing contact entirely, the guide ribs mediate this interaction by providing a controlled surface that directs the sheet along the intended path, preventing the sheet from being caught by other protrusions on the bottom face.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharge device of the present invention includes discharge rollers configured to transport a sheet in a predetermined transport direction and to discharge the sheet to a discharge tray, and an upper discharge tray disposed above the discharge tray with a space being interposed therebetween. A bottom face of the upper discharge tray that faces the discharge tray includes a guide rib extending in an oblique direction inclined relative to the transport direction.