Sheet Finisher Aligning Plates Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet finishers face challenges in efficiently aligning recording sheets due to variations in sheet position caused by sheet skewing and changes in sheet feed trays and conveyance paths, leading to difficulties in maintaining accurate alignment at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a control section that receives image forming position correction information and recording sheet end portion detection information to determine optimal alignment positions for aligning plates, minimizing standby positions and reducing unnecessary alignment operations by calculating the alignment position based on recording sheet size and image forming position corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aligning plates are positioned with large margins to accommodate sheet position variations, then alignment reliability is improved, but the standby position and travel distance of aligning plates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control section receives image forming position correction information in advance and calculates the optimal standby position for aligning plates before the sheet arrives. This preliminary calculation allows the aligning plates to be positioned with minimal margins while still ensuring reliable alignment, reducing unnecessary travel distance and standby time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image forming position correction information as feedback to dynamically adjust the standby position of aligning plates. By continuously receiving position correction data and adjusting plate positions accordingly, the system maintains high alignment reliability without requiring excessive safety margins, thus reducing time loss.
2Productivity
If the speed of the motor driving aligning plates is increased for high-speed alignment, then productivity is improved, but the torque requirement and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and positions aligning plates in advance based on received position correction information, so that when the sheet arrives, the plates are already near the correct position. This reduces the distance and time the motor needs to operate at high speed, allowing for lower motor torque requirements and simpler mechanical design while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The standby position of aligning plates is dynamically adjusted based on image forming position correction information. This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize plate positions for each sheet, reducing the work required by the motor and simplifying mechanical requirements while achieving high-speed operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If aligning plates are positioned to accommodate all possible sheet position variations, then adaptability is improved, but the precision of alignment decreases due to larger margins
Solution Approach 1:
The control section calculates the optimal standby position in advance using image forming position correction information, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet positions without requiring large margins. This preliminary calculation enables precise alignment by positioning plates optimally for each specific case rather than using fixed large margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image forming position correction information as feedback to determine the precise standby position for aligning plates. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to various sheet positions while maintaining high alignment precision, as the plate position is optimized based on actual position data rather than conservative estimates.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A sheet finisher (200) connected to an image forming apparatus (100), includes: an aligning unit (220) having an aligning plate (221,222) which aligns in a primary scanning direction a recording sheet (P) that has been conveyed from the apparatus (100); and a controller (201) which receives any one of correction information of an image forming position and detection information of a recording sheet edge for each sheet feed tray on a side of the apparatus, and determines an alignment position by referring to any one of the information.