Sheet Processing Apparatus Switchback Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses face issues with proper switchback-transport of sheets during folding processing, leading to potential damage and improper alignment due to the interaction between the turn-up preventing member and the folding roller, especially when the sheet is curled, causing turn-up and hindering the switchback process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus is designed with a transport path, a rotating body pair for folding, a folding blade, a press member, and a control section that controls the rotating body pair and the press member to ensure the sheet end is properly aligned and pressed within a specific region during switchback-transport, preventing damage and ensuring accurate folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a turn-up preventing member is provided swingably in a sheet path for switchback, then turn-up of the sheet end portion is prevented, but the sheet end portion may contact inside the stacker causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the turn-up preventing member and the sheet. The guide member has a guide face that guides the sheet end portion in the sheet width direction, preventing direct contact between the turn-up preventing member and the sheet end portion, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the turn-up prevention function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the direct mechanical contact system (turn-up preventing member directly contacting sheet end) with a guided mechanical system (guide member with guide face controlling sheet position). This substitution maintains the mechanical turn-up prevention function while eliminating the harmful contact through controlled guidance
2Ease of operation
If the turn-up preventing member pushes the curled end portion of the sheet to the folding roller side, then the sheet is guided, but it is not possible to properly switchback-transport the sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is segmented into two independent components: the turn-up preventing member that prevents upward curling, and the guide member that provides lateral guidance through its guide face. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the switchback-transport process
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary that mediates between the sheet's curled end portion and the turn-up preventing member. By providing a guide face that controls the sheet end portion's position in the sheet width direction, it enables proper guidance while maintaining reliable switchback-transport
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 apparatus effectively performs switchback-transport of sheets, preventing damage and ensuring proper alignment, thereby maintaining the integrity of the sheet during the folding process.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating body pair capable of transporting the sheet in a first direction for nipping the sheet transported to the transport path by a nip portion to rotate, and thereby drawing the sheet
Implementation Method 2
in a second direction for performing switchback on the sheet subjected to the folding processing in a direction opposite to the direction for drawing
Implementation Method 3
a press member that presses the sheet, which is subjected to the folding processing by the rotating body pair and is transported in the second direction, to one direction side
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus performs folding processing so that one end of a sheet exists inside the folded sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes a transport path to guide a transported sheet, a rotating body pair capable of transporting the sheet in a first direction to perform folding processing, and in a second direction for switching back the sheet subjected to the folding processing, a folding blade that pushes the sheet to a nip portion of the rotating body pair, a press member that presses the sheet folded by the rotating body pair in the second direction, and a shift section that shifts the press member for pressing the sheet. In switching back the sheet, a control section controls transport of the sheet so that the one end of the sheet is halted within a region between the press member and a guide face of the transport path.