Sheet Discharge Tray Ribs for Width Direction Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet discharge trays fail to effectively align sheets in both the discharging direction and width direction, requiring users to manually correct misalignments, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially for large or irregularly sized sheets.
Innovation Solution
The sheet discharge tray features a stacking surface with elongate ribs arranged such that the space between adjacent ribs is narrower at the upstream end than at the downstream end, and an extension tray with ribs that adjust their height to improve alignment, allowing sheets to align properly by gravity and collision with the tray's edges, reducing user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sheet discharge trays are used, then sheets can be discharged from the sheet conveying apparatus, but the sheets cannot be effectively aligned in the width direction, requiring manual correction
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet discharge tray automatically aligns sheets in the width direction through the gravity-induced collision mechanism with the end fence, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations by users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of sheet collision (which could cause misalignment) into a beneficial alignment mechanism by designing a sloping surface that guides sheets to collide with the end fence in a controlled manner, achieving automatic width direction alignment
2Manufacturing precision
If additional regulating elements like end fences and ribs are added to improve alignment, then sheet alignment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple alignment functions into a single integrated end fence structure that serves both as a width direction regulator and a discharging direction guide, reducing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The end fence structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it aligns sheets in the width direction, guides sheets in the discharging direction, and works with the sloping surface to control the collision mechanism, eliminating the need for separate regulating elements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances both discharging direction and width direction alignment of sheets with a simple structure, reducing the time and labor required for users to align stacked sheets, and eliminates the need for additional regulating elements like end fences and ribs.
Implementation Method 1
since the sloping surface 31a is formed to become lower as it proceeds towards the end side in the discharging direction, through the force of gravity, the sheets can be stacked so as to collide against either the end fence 32 or the end fence 33
Implementation Method 2
since the inside faces of the ribs 35 contact the sheets before the sheets collide against the end fence 33, the ribs 35 can function as widthwise regulating plates that reduce misalignment among sheets with regard to the width direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharge tray that can improve width direction alignment of discharged sheets of various sizes with a simple structure. Ribs are disposed on a sheet discharge tray. And a space between at least a pair of adjacent ribs among the ribs at a discharging direction upstream end portion is narrower than a space between the at least two adjacent ribs at a discharging direction downstream end portion.