Rotary Blade Sheet Guide with Integrated Rotation Stopper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses face issues with movable guide members rotating due to large rotation moments, leading to torsion and operation failures, as they are supported by rotation shafts and lack effective rotation prevention mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A sheet processing apparatus with a guide member that is supported by a rotation shaft and equipped with a rotation stopper to prevent rotation, ensuring smooth movement and preventing torsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the movable guide member is disposed on the rotation shaft to support the sheet, then the guide member can be positioned to prevent sheet bending, but the guide member rotates along with the rotation shaft and cannot maintain its posture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet support stabilityVSAvoidguide member posture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation stopper is provided in advance on the rotation shaft to counteract the rotational tendency of the guide member. This preliminary anti-action prevents the guide member from rotating along with the rotation shaft, maintaining its posture and ensuring reliable sheet support throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Stability of the object's composition

If support rails are provided to prevent rotation of the guide member, then the guide member cannot rotate, but torsion occurs between the rotation shaft and support rail preventing smooth movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide member rotation preventionVSAvoidguide member movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation stopper is extracted from the support rail structure and provided directly on the rotation shaft. This separates the rotation prevention function from the support function, allowing the guide member to move smoothly along the rotation shaft while the rotation stopper independently prevents rotation without causing torsion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the rotation stopper is provided on the rotation shaft near the guide member, then rotation is effectively prevented without torsion, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation prevention effectivenessVSAvoidrotary blade unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation stopper is merged with the rotation shaft structure, forming an integrated component. This combination prevents rotation effectively while minimizing additional structural complexity, as the rotation stopper becomes part of the existing rotation shaft assembly rather than a separate independent mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4670935A1Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system including sheet processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KONICA MINOLTA INC

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AI summary

A sheet processing apparatus (200) processes a sheet using a rotary blade (231a, 241a, 251a, 261a, 232a, 242a, 252a, 262a). The sheet processing apparatus includes: a rotary blade unit (X, 231, 241, 251, 261, 232, 242, 252, 262) that supports the rotary blade such that the rotary blade is rotatable on a rotation shaft (31, 32, 33, 34) and movable in an axial direction of the rotation shaft; a guide member (50) that is supported by the rotation shaft and that guides part of the sheet; and a rotation stopper (60) that prevents rotation of the guide member. The rotation stopper is provided to the rotary blade unit.