Sheet Processing Unit Braking With Impact Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses face issues with draw-out units colliding with the apparatus frame due to high-speed insertion, leading to malfunctions or breakages, particularly when heavy units are suddenly stopped by conventional braking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A braking device with a centrifugal brake unit and damper mechanism is employed to regulate the movement of draw-out units, absorbing impact and reducing speed upon insertion, preventing collisions and protecting the braking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional braking device is used to stop the draw-out unit, then the collision with the frame is prevented, but a large load is applied to the braking mechanism causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision with frameVSAvoidbraking mechanism reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damper mechanism that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the braking mechanism. The damper is positioned between the draw-out unit and the braking device, cushioning the shock during high-speed insertion and preventing excessive load on the brake components, thus maintaining braking mechanism reliability while still preventing frame collision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by adding a damper as a mediating element between the moving draw-out unit and the braking mechanism. This intermediary component absorbs and dissipates kinetic energy through damping forces, reducing the direct impact load transmitted to the braking mechanism while still enabling effective speed reduction and collision prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the draw-out unit is inserted at high speed, then the operation efficiency is improved, but the draw-out unit collides with the frame causing malfunction or breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidcollision with frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a braking mechanism that dynamically adjusts its braking force based on the insertion speed of the draw-out unit. The brake is designed to engage more strongly at higher speeds and reduce braking force as the unit slows down, allowing high-speed insertion when safe while automatically preventing collision through speed-dependent braking control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the draw-out unit is suddenly stopped, then the collision is prevented, but a large load is applied to the braking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidload on braking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The damper mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing impact energy before it reaches the braking mechanism during sudden stoppage. This cushioning effect reduces the peak force transmitted to the brake components while maintaining the sudden stop capability needed to prevent frame collision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The solution effectively prevents collisions and protects the braking mechanism from excessive loads, ensuring smooth and safe insertion of heavy units, thereby reducing the risk of malfunctions and damage.

Implementation Method 1

a braking device with a centrifugal brake unit and damper mechanism is employed to regulate the movement of draw-out units, absorbing impact and reducing speed upon insertion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a braking device with a centrifugal brake unit and damper mechanism is employed to regulate the movement of draw-out units, absorbing impact and reducing speed upon insertion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4578806A1Sheet processing apparatus, sheet accommodating apparatus, and image forming system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC
  • EP4578806A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4578806A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4578806A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing unit (B2) is movable to a drawn-out position and an accommodated position. The drawn-out position is a position where the processing unit (B2) is drawn out from a sheet processing apparatus (B). The accommodated position is a position where the processing unit (B2) is accommodated in the sheet processing apparatus (B). A braking mechanism (820) acts to brake the processing unit (B2) in a case where the processing unit (B2) is inserted in a direction from the drawn-out position toward the accommodated position at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. A damper mechanism (810) absorbs an impact on the braking mechanism (820) in a case where the braking mechanism (820) act, by applying a load to the processing unit (B2) moving in the direction from the drawn-out position toward the accommodated position.