Sheet Discharging Apparatus Tray Separation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-tray sheet processing systems, when the upper tray is fully stacked, taking out sheets from the lower tray is hindered by the lifting of the lower tray, reducing the available space and making it difficult to access the sheets efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A sheet discharging apparatus with a control unit that separates the trays by adjusting the vertical distance between them when the lower surface of the upper tray comes into contact with the sheets on the lower tray, allowing for easier access by lifting or lowering the trays accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the lower tray is lifted to receive discharged sheets, then the stacking capacity is improved, but the space to take out sheets from the lower tray narrows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the upper tray movable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the vertical position of the upper tray based on the state of the lower tray. When sheets are being taken out from the lower tray, the upper tray is automatically lowered to create sufficient clearance, and when the lower tray is being filled, the upper tray is raised to maximize stacking capacity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining stacking capacity and ensuring accessibility.
2Volume of moving object
If the upper tray is lowered to a lower limit position when fully stacked, then the stacking space is maximized, but the distance to the lower tray decreases making sheet removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors the stacking state of both trays and automatically adjusts the upper tray's position. When the lower tray is detected to be in a sheet removal state (tray lifted or sheets being taken out), the control unit receives this feedback and automatically lowers the upper tray to an appropriate position that maintains sufficient distance. This feedback mechanism ensures that the upper tray is positioned optimally to both maximize stacking space and facilitate easy sheet removal from the lower tray.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discharging apparatus includes a first stacking unit to stack a sheet discharged by a first discharge unit, a second stacking unit disposed below the first stacking unit to stack the sheet discharged by a second discharge unit, and a lifting unit to lift and lower the first and second stacking units. A detection unit changes an output value based on contact of a matter with a lower surface of the first stacking unit, and a distance estimation unit estimates a distance between the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit. A separation process lifts the first stacking unit to increase a distance between the first and second stacking units in a vertical direction in a case where the output value changes based on contact of the matter with the lower surface of the first stacking unit and the estimated distance being smaller than a threshold value.