Sheet Discharge Device Offset Stacking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet discharge devices in image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in sorting and discharging sheets, as they often require shifting discharge rollers in the width direction, which can lead to uneven stacking and increased complexity in managing multiple sheet stacks on a discharge tray.
Innovation Solution
A sheet discharge device comprising a conveyance member, a shiftable discharge member, and a control part that alternately discharges sheets to offset positions by shifting the discharge rollers pair in the width direction, allowing for precise positioning and stable stacking of sheets on the discharge tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If discharge rollers are shifted in the width direction to sort sheet stacks, then sheets can be discharged to different offset positions, but the shift distance becomes too long and stacking becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sorting process into two independent stages: (1) shifting the discharge rollers pair to appropriate positions before sheet conveyance, and (2) discharging sheets to offset positions. This segmentation allows the discharge rollers to be positioned at optimal locations rather than shifting across the entire distance, improving stacking precision while maintaining sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge rollers pair is shifted to the appropriate discharge position before the sheet is conveyed to the discharge position. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the rollers are already in the correct location when the sheet arrives, eliminating the need for long-distance shifting during the discharge process and thereby improving stacking precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discharge rollers are shifted to different positions for each sheet stack, then multiple sheet stacks can be sorted, but the complexity of managing multiple stacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position adjustment function from the discharge rollers themselves and assigns it to a dedicated shifting mechanism (shift part). This separation allows the discharge rollers to focus on their primary function of discharging sheets, while the shift part handles position management, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple sheet stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The shift part acts as an intermediary between the control system and the discharge rollers pair. It receives control signals and automatically positions the discharge rollers at the appropriate locations, simplifying the management of multiple sheet stacks by automating the position adjustment process rather than requiring manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discharge rollers are shifted during sheet discharge, then offset positioning is achieved, but the discharge time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge rollers pair is shifted to the appropriate discharge position before the sheet is conveyed to the discharge position. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sheet arrives, the rollers are already in the correct location, eliminating time loss during the discharge process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The shifting of the discharge rollers pair and the conveyance of the sheet are performed in parallel or overlapping time periods. The shift part adjusts the roller position while the conveyance member is transporting the sheet, ensuring that the position adjustment does not add to the overall discharge time and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the process.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharge device includes a discharge member and a control part. When a sheet is discharged to a first offset position, the control part shifts the discharge member to a first reception position separated from a home position in a second direction by a second distance shorter than a first distance, and shifts the discharge member to a first discharge position separated from the first reception position in the first direction by the first distance after the sheet is received. When the sheet is discharged to a second offset position, the control part shifts the discharge member to a second reception position separated from the home position in the first direction by the second distance, and shifts the discharge member to a second discharge position separated from the second reception position in the second direction by the first distance after the sheet is received.