Sheet Discharge Tray Dual-Contact Alignment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet alignment systems in discharge trays struggle to accommodate sheets of varying sizes, particularly when mixing A3 size and postcard size, as they require separate alignment rollers and regulation boards, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in aligning different sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dual-contact alignment system where a single alignment roller aligns sheets less than or equal to a predetermined size on one side and those greater than the size on the other side of the discharge tray, using first and second contact alignment boards, allowing for mixed size sheets to be aligned without the need for size-matched regulation boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single alignment roller and contact board system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to align sheets of various sizes is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The contact board is divided into multiple contact regions (first contact region and second contact region) positioned at different locations. The alignment roller contacts different regions depending on sheet size, enabling a single segmented structure to handle multiple sheet sizes without requiring multiple complete alignment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single alignment roller is designed to perform multiple functions by contacting different regions of the contact board for different sheet sizes. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized alignment rollers, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple alignment rollers and size-matched regulation boards are provided, then sheet alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact board is segmented into multiple contact regions that can be selectively engaged. This segmentation allows precise alignment for different sheet sizes using a single unified structure rather than multiple complete alignment systems, maintaining precision while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system dynamically adapts to different sheet sizes by having the alignment roller contact different regions of the contact board based on sheet dimensions. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for static, size-specific alignment components.
3Productivity
If sheets of various sizes are aligned using abutment against the same contact board, then productivity is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact board is divided into multiple precisely-positioned contact regions. Each region is optimized for specific sheet sizes, allowing sheets of various sizes to be aligned accurately against appropriate regions while maintaining high productivity through a single discharge tray system.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharge tray according to an embodiment includes a loading board that receives sheets that are discharged from a sheet transport path. A first contact alignment board is vertically positioned on the loading board at a first end portion on an upstream side in a sheet discharge direction. A second, contact alignment board is vertically positioned on the loading board at a second end portion on a downstream side in the sheet discharge direction. An alignment roller aligns sheets that are less than or equal to a predetermined size to abut against the first contact alignment board. The alignment roller aligns sheets that are greater than the predetermined size to abut against the second contact alignment board.