Sheet Post-Processing Device Reverse Roller Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet post-processing devices face alignment issues when drawing in a succeeding paper sheet, as the discharge roller pair's reverse rotation can inadvertently draw in already aligned paper sheet bundles, causing them to bend and lose alignment.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a discharge roller pair where only the discharge roller rotates reversely while the discharge roll is stationary, ensuring the drawing-in force is applied only to the new sheet, preventing the alignment of the already aligned bundle from being disrupted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the discharge roller pair is rotated reversely to draw in a succeeding paper sheet, then the paper sheet can be carried in on the processing tray, but the already aligned paper sheet bundle is also drawn in and bent, decreasing alignment property

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper sheet carrying inVSAvoidalignment property
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge roller pair is segmented into two independent components: the discharge roller (21) that can rotate reversely to draw in new sheets, and the discharge roll (22) that rotates forwardly to push aligned bundles. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, preventing the bent alignment problem while maintaining easy sheet carrying in capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the discharge mechanism have different functional properties: the discharge roller (21) has reverse rotation capability for drawing in new sheets, while the discharge roll (22) has forward rotation capability for pushing aligned bundles. This local differentiation of functional properties allows the system to handle new sheets and aligned bundles differently, preventing the alignment degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach effectively maintains the alignment of the paper sheet bundle by isolating the drawing-in force to the new sheet, preventing the bundle from being drawn in and bent, thus ensuring the alignment property is preserved.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge roller 21 that comes in contact with an uppermost surface of sheets loaded on the processing tray 16... a sheet is drawn in on the processing tray 16 by reversely rotating the discharge roller 21

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a discharge roll 22 that comes in contact with a lowermost surface of the sheets loaded on the processing tray 16... a sheet is discharged from the processing tray 16 onto the discharge tray 40 by forwardly rotating the discharge roller pair 21, 22

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3219653B1Sheet post-processing device and image forming system equipped with same
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3219653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219653B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3219653B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sheet post-processing device (20) comprises: a processing tray (30); a discharge tray (50); and a pair of discharge rollers (29). The pair of discharge rollers (29) is constituted by a discharge roller (29a) which contacts the uppermost surface of sheets stacked in the processing tray (30), and a discharge roller (29b) which contacts the lowermost surface of the sheets stacked in the processing tray (30). The sheet post-processing device (20) discharges a sheet from the processing tray (30) to the discharge tray (50) by rotating the pair of discharge rollers (29) in the forward direction, and causes the sheet to be drawn into the processing tray (30) by rotating the discharge roller (29a) in the reverse direction in a state in which the rotation of the discharge roller (29b) is stopped.