Sheet Processing Apparatus Switchback Conveyance Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses face alignment issues and increased discharge time when discharging unbound sheet bundles from a placing tray, as the simultaneous bundle discharge method can cause electrostatic adhesion and misalignment of sheets on the stacking tray.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus that includes a discharge roller and a conveyance roller system, where the conveyance roller conveys subsequent sheets downstream and then switchbacks upstream, allowing the discharge roller to nip and discharge the sheet bundle on the placing tray to the stacking tray during switchback conveyance, maintaining alignment and rapid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simultaneous bundle discharge is performed on unbound sheet bundles, then discharge time is reduced and processing speed is improved, but sheet alignment deteriorates due to electrostatic adhesion and misalignment on the stacking tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sheet bundle into two separate groups: the main sheet bundle to be discharged and the subsequent sheets to be switched back. By separating these sheets during the discharge process, the system avoids electrostatic adhesion between consecutive sheets while maintaining alignment. The discharge roller discharges the main bundle first, then the conveyance roller switches back the subsequent sheets independently to the placing tray, preventing alignment deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the conveyance roller switch back subsequent sheets to the placing tray before the discharge roller completes discharging the main sheet bundle. This timing coordination ensures that subsequent sheets are already in position and do not adhere to the discharged sheets, maintaining alignment while enabling simultaneous discharge operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If subsequent sheets are conveyed downstream and then switchback-conveyed upstream, then alignment is maintained, but processing time increases due to the additional switchback operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous useful action by overlapping the switchback conveyance of subsequent sheets with the discharge operation of the main sheet bundle. While the discharge roller is discharging the main bundle, the conveyance roller simultaneously switches back subsequent sheets to the placing tray. This parallel execution eliminates idle time and maintains high processing speed while ensuring proper alignment through the switchback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates the rotation timing of the discharge roller and conveyance roller. The conveyance roller rotates to switch back subsequent sheets during the period when the discharge roller is discharging the main bundle, optimizing the use of time. This dynamic timing control allows the system to maintain alignment through switchback conveyance without significant time loss.
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 discharge of sheet bundles without significant alignment deterioration and maintains high processing speed, even when the sheet bundle on the placing tray is unbound, by preventing electrostatic adhesion and ensuring efficient sheet stacking.
Implementation Method 1
the sheets electrostatically adhere to the switched-back subsequent sheets np1 and np2 and are conveyed backward with the subsequent sheets np1 and np2
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet processing unit that processes a sheet placed on a placing tray, a discharge roller that discharges the sheet processed on the placing tray to a stacking tray, a conveyance roller that discharges a sheet to the placing tray or conveys a subsequent sheet from upstream to downstream of the discharge roller and switchback-conveys the subsequent sheet upstream again, and a standby path (branch path) that keeps the sheet switched back by the conveyance roller on standby. The subsequent sheet is conveyed to a downstream side of the discharge roller by the conveyance roller and then returned to an upstream side again by switchback conveyance. During the switchback conveyance, the discharge roller nips and discharges the sheets on the placing tray to the stacking tray.