Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus with Power Transmission Breaker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet post-processing apparatuses face challenges in miniaturizing the drive motor and preventing the sheet discharge tray from being pinched by obstacles, especially when under high load or encountering obstacles during operation.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a power transmission cut-off mechanism and a load reducing mechanism, where the power transmission cut-off mechanism interrupts power to the sheet discharge tray when an upward external force is applied, and the load reducing mechanism provides a reverse load to counteract the load from stacked sheets, allowing for efficient operation and compact motor design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a tension spring is used to provide reverse load to assist the drive motor, then the motor size can be reduced, but the sheet discharge tray may be pinched by obstacles below it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive motor outputVSAvoidpinching by obstacle

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A power transmission breaker is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive motor and sheet discharge tray. This breaker selectively interrupts power transmission when an upward external force (obstacle) is detected, preventing pinching while allowing normal operation with reduced motor size aided by the tension spring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between power transmission and interruption states based on operational conditions. The power transmission breaker responds to external forces in real-time, enabling the motor to operate at reduced power during normal stacking while automatically preventing harmful pinching when obstacles are encountered

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the drive motor is miniaturized to reduce device size, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the ability to drive the sheet discharge tray at high speed under high load deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive motor sizeVSAvoidsheet discharge tray speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A tension spring provides a reverse load (upward force) that counteracts the downward gravitational load of stacked sheets on the sheet discharge tray. This reduces the net load on the miniaturized drive motor, enabling it to maintain high-speed operation even when carrying large numbers of sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring is pre-loaded to provide assistance before the motor needs to act. By having the spring ready to counteract the sheet weight in advance, the miniaturized motor only needs to overcome residual forces and control the tray movement, rather than lifting the full load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If power transmission is continuously maintained to ensure reliable sheet discharge tray operation, then operational reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet discharge tray operationVSAvoiddrive motor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Power transmission to the sheet discharge tray is made periodic rather than continuous. The power transmission breaker interrupts power delivery when the tray is stationary or moving lightly loaded, and restores it when load changes require motor control, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining operational reliability when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This configuration enables the sheet discharge tray to maintain target speed and reduce power consumption even under high load conditions, while preventing pinching by obstacles and allowing for a smaller drive motor size.

Implementation Method 1

a load reducing mechanism that provides a reverse load to the sheet discharge tray in a reverse direction to the load generated on the sheet discharge tray due to stacking of the sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a power transmission breaker that can cut off power transmission from the drive motor to the sheet discharge tray when an upward external force is applied to the sheet discharge tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Data Source

PatentUS10364118B2Sheet post-processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus has a sheet discharge tray, a drive motor, a power transmission breaker, a first power transmitter, a second power transmitter, and a load reducer. The sheet discharge tray stacks sheets. The drive motor raises and lowers the sheet discharge tray. The power transmission breaker can cut off power transmission from the drive motor to the sheet discharge tray when an upward external force is applied to the sheet discharge tray. The load reducer provides a reverse load to the sheet discharge tray in a reverse direction to the load generated on the sheet discharge tray due to stacking of the sheets. The load reducer is connected to the first power transmitter.