Sheet Hold Member Dynamics for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet post-processing apparatuses generate noise during sheet discharge due to the strong holding force of sheet hold members, which can lead to poor alignment and damage of sheets, especially when few sheets are present.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing apparatus with a discharge member, a movable discharge tray, and a sheet hold member that can change between hold and release states, using a position detector to ensure proper alignment and prevent noise by moving the tray up only when necessary to hold the sheet surface, and employing an attraction-type solenoid for quick state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sheet hold members hold sheets with strong force, then poor alignment of sheets is prevented, but noise generation occurs during sheet discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet hold member is designed to dynamically change its holding force based on the operational phase: it applies strong holding force during sheet discharge to prevent misalignment, and reduces holding force when sheets are stacked to minimize noise. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between alignment precision and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding force parameter of the sheet hold member is changed according to the operational state. During sheet discharge, high holding force is applied to ensure alignment; during sheet stacking, the holding force is reduced to prevent noise. This parameter change strategy allows the system to achieve both precise alignment and low noise operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If sheet hold members hold sheets strongly, then sheet alignment is maintained, but sheet damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet hold member dynamically adjusts its holding force to be strong during sheet discharge for alignment maintenance, and weak during sheet stacking to prevent damage. This temporal differentiation of holding force strength resolves the contradiction between alignment precision and sheet protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet hold member operates in periodic cycles: applying strong holding force during the discharge phase to ensure alignment, then reducing force during the stacking phase to prevent damage. This periodic variation in holding force allows the system to achieve both alignment precision and sheet integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If discharge tray moves up to hold position frequently, then sheet alignment is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is positioned at the hold position in advance before sheet discharge begins, so that when sheets are discharged, they are immediately properly aligned without requiring frequent tray movements. This preliminary positioning reduces the number of times the tray needs to move, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining alignment precision.
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
Prevents poor alignment and noise generation during sheet discharge by ensuring gentle handling and secure holding of sheets until the next sheet is discharged, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining low-cost, simplified design.
Implementation Method 1
employing an attraction-type solenoid for quick state changes
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet post-processing apparatus 100 includes bundle discharge rollers 6, a sheet detection sensor 31, a main tray 11, and a sheet hold device 32 having a plurality of hold portions 34a to 34c. When a sheet bundle is discharged from the bundle discharge rollers 6, the hold portions 34a to 34c rotate to a release position where the hold portions 34a to 34c stop holding the sheet bundle P stacked on the main tray 11, the main tray 11 moves downward to a wait position H2, and then, the hold portions 34a to 34c rotate to the lowest position, then the main tray 11 moves up to a hold position H1.