Sheet Processing Apparatus Synchronous Regulation for Binding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in aligning sheets accurately due to limitations in the movement range of side guides and edge aligning members, leading to poor sheet alignment during binding processes.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus is designed with a conveyance unit, a stacking portion, first and second regulation members for edge positioning, and a binding unit that is movable in the conveyance direction, allowing the second regulation member to be moved alongside the binding unit to prevent overlap and improve alignment, especially for varying sheet sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the side guide and tamper are disposed within a fixed range, then the device structure is simple, but the sheet alignment precision deteriorates when processing different sheet sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The second regulation member is configured to be movable in the conveyance direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position according to different sheet sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the member to maintain optimal alignment precision across various sheet dimensions without requiring a completely reconfigurable device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The movable second regulation member serves multiple functions: it acts as an alignment reference for different sheet sizes, maintains positioning accuracy during binding unit movement, and adapts to various binding positions. This single movable component replaces what would otherwise require multiple fixed regulation members for different sheet size scenarios
2Manufacturing precision
If the second regulation member is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the alignment accuracy deteriorates when the binding unit moves to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The second regulation member is coupled to the moving unit, enabling it to move synchronously with the binding unit in the conveyance direction. This dynamic coupling ensures that the regulation member maintains its alignment function regardless of the binding unit's position, preserving alignment accuracy throughout the entire operating range
Solution Approach 2:
The movable second regulation member acts as an intermediary between the fixed first regulation member and the moving binding unit. It transfers the alignment reference function from a fixed position to a moving position, allowing the binding unit to move freely while maintaining sheet alignment through the mediating regulation member
3Adaptability or versatility
If the binding unit has a large moving range to accommodate different sheet sizes, then the adaptability improves, but the risk of overlap with the second regulation member increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the binding unit and the second regulation member are configured to move synchronously in the conveyance direction, maintaining a constant spatial relationship between them. This dynamic coordination eliminates the risk of overlap interference while preserving the large moving range needed for different sheet sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The binding unit is designed with asymmetric movement characteristics relative to the regulation members, moving in the conveyance direction while the regulation members provide perpendicular alignment. This asymmetric configuration allows the binding unit to access different sheet sizes without interfering with the alignment function of the second regulation member
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a stacking portion on which the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit is stacked, a first regulation member configured to regulate a position of an edge portion, in a conveyance direction, of the sheet stacked on the stacking portion, a second regulation member configured to regulate a position of an edge portion, in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, of the sheet stacked on the stacking portion, a binding unit supported movably in the conveyance direction and configured to perform a binding process of binding the sheet stacked on the stacking portion, and a moving unit configured to move the second regulation member in the conveyance direction accompanied with a movement, in the conveyance direction, of the binding unit.