Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus with Dynamic Discharge Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet post-processing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining sheet alignment performance due to variations in sheet size, quality, stiffness, and thickness, leading to potential disturbance and folding during discharge.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a combination of vertical and horizontal alignment mechanisms, including pivotable gates, rotating rollers, and a paddle mechanism, along with a control system that adjusts the position of the sheet discharge tray based on detected sheet type, to ensure precise alignment and prevent curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sheet discharge apparatus with a fixed discharge table is used, then the structure is simple, but sheet alignment performance deteriorates due to sheet type variations
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge table is made movable along the sheet discharge direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of the discharge position. This enables the system to adapt to different sheet types (size, quality, stiffness, thickness) by changing the discharge location, thereby maintaining sheet alignment performance without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the discharge position parameter along the sheet discharge direction based on detected sheet types. By adjusting this positional parameter, the apparatus optimizes discharge conditions for different sheet characteristics, improving alignment performance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If sheets are discharged onto a fixed tray, then the discharge process is fast, but sheets become disturbed or folded due to lack of adaptation to sheet characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus detects sheet types in advance before discharge and pre-adjusts the discharge position on the tray. This preliminary action ensures that sheets are discharged at the optimal location for their specific characteristics, preventing disturbance and folding while maintaining efficient discharge speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sheet type detection as feedback to determine the appropriate discharge position. This feedback mechanism allows the apparatus to adaptively adjust discharge parameters based on actual sheet characteristics, ensuring stable discharge without sacrificing productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment mechanisms are added to improve sheet alignment, then sheet alignment performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex fixed alignment mechanisms, the system uses a simple movable discharge table that dynamically adjusts position. This dynamic approach achieves alignment improvement through positional adaptation rather than complex mechanical alignment structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system improves alignment by changing the discharge position parameter rather than adding complex alignment mechanisms. This parameter-based approach achieves the alignment function with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a sheet discharge section that feeds a sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus to a post-processing section and leads the sheet that has passed through the post-processing section to a sheet discharge port; a sheet discharge tray that receives a sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port and can move to a first standby position and a second standby position higher than the first standby position and nearer to the sheet discharge port; and a controller that controls the height position of the sheet discharge tray by identifying the type of the sheet. The controller changes the height position of the sheet discharge tray to allow the sheet discharge tray to receive the discharged sheet at the first standby position in the case where the sheet is a first type while to receive the discharged sheet at the second standby position in the case where the sheet is a second type.