Sheet Post-Processing Alignment With Two-Stage Width Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet post-processing apparatuses face challenges in accurately aligning and correcting skew of sheets due to variations in sheet size, surface smoothness, ink usage, and image patterns, leading to inefficiencies in binding and folding processes.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing apparatus equipped with a conveying member, processing tray, alignment member, width regulating members, and a control unit that performs two-stage alignment operations to adjust the interval between width regulating members based on sheet properties, ensuring precise alignment and correction of skew.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single alignment operation is performed with fixed width regulating members, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of sheet alignment deteriorates due to variations in sheet size, surface smoothness, ink usage, and image patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment process is divided into two distinct operations: a first alignment operation that positions width regulating members at first regulating positions, and a second alignment operation that positions them at second regulating positions. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized for different sheet conditions, improving overall alignment precision without requiring complete redesign of the alignment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The width regulating members are made movable between different regulating positions (first regulating positions and second regulating positions) based on sheet properties. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the alignment system to adapt to variations in sheet size, surface smoothness, ink usage, and image patterns, thereby maintaining high alignment precision across different conditions.
2Productivity
If the width regulating members are positioned at fixed regulating positions, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased alignment time and conveyance load
Solution Approach 1:
The first alignment operation positions the width regulating members at first regulating positions before the sheets are fully conveyed onto the processing tray. This preliminary alignment action prepares the sheets for subsequent processing, reducing the overall alignment time and improving productivity by performing alignment steps in advance rather than waiting for complete sheet conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system performs periodic alignment operations (first alignment operation and second alignment operation) at different stages of the sheet conveyance process. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high alignment efficiency by adjusting sheets at multiple intervals rather than requiring a single time-consuming alignment operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the interval between width regulating members is fixed, then the ease of operation is high, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates when sheet conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The interval between width regulating members is made variable, with the system automatically adjusting the interval based on sheet properties. The width regulating members can be positioned at different intervals (first interval and second interval) to match different sheet conditions, maintaining high alignment precision without requiring manual intervention to calculate or set appropriate intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of the width regulating members (interval and position) according to sheet conditions such as size, surface smoothness, ink usage, and image patterns. This parameter adjustment is automatically controlled, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise alignment for varying sheet conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sheet post-processing apparatus in which a control portion repetitively performs a width-direction alignment operation including a first alignment operation of moving width regulating members from standby positions to first regulating positions before a sheet that is carried in onto a processing tray is aligned in a carry-in direction by abutting of an edge of the sheet against a reference plate, and a second alignment operation of moving the width regulating members from the standby positions to second regulating positions after the sheet has been aligned in the carry-in direction by the reference plate. The sheet post-processing apparatus satisfies C1>C2>P1≥C3 where P1 is a size in a width direction of the sheet, and C1, C2, and C3 are intervals between the width regulating members at the standby positions, the first regulating positions, and the second regulating positions, respectively.