Reciprocating Sheet Discharge Roll Layout to Prevent Misstacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet discharge and accommodation devices in image forming apparatuses face issues where the rear end of discharged sheets can enter the gap between the discharge roll and the side wall surface of the accommodation portion, leading to poor accommodation.
Innovation Solution
A sheet discharge and accommodation device with a wall surface portion positioned to prevent the rear end of sheets from entering the gap between the discharge roll and the side wall surface, featuring a moving unit that reciprocates in the width direction, a wall surface portion disposed in the gap between roll bodies, and a recessed portion to facilitate correct assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the discharge roll reciprocates in the width direction to discharge sheets, then the discharge function is improved, but the rear end of sheets may enter the gap between the discharge roll and side wall surface causing poor accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
A wall surface portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the discharge roll and the accommodation portion side wall. This wall surface portion fills the gap that would otherwise allow sheet rear ends to enter, thereby preventing poor accommodation while allowing the discharge roll to reciprocate freely for sheet discharge
2Reliability
If the wall surface portion is positioned to prevent sheet rear end from entering the gap, then sheet accommodation quality is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wall surface portion is merged with the moving unit structure, forming an integrated assembly. This combining approach prevents the need for separate complex assembly procedures while achieving the function of preventing sheet rear ends from entering the gap
3Productivity
If the discharge roll reciprocates in the width direction, then sheet discharge capability is improved, but gaps between roll bodies may cause improper sheet positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The wall surface portion is positioned specifically in the gap region between the discharge roll and accommodation portion side wall. This localized placement addresses the positioning accuracy issue only where it occurs (at the gap location) without affecting the overall reciprocating discharge function of the discharge roll
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet discharge and accommodation device includes: a main body having a discharge port; an accommodation portion having an accommodation surface on which a sheet discharged from the discharge port is accommodated and a side wall surface that extends from one end of the accommodation surface to a lower end of the discharge port; a discharge roll that pinches the sheet between plural roll bodies disposed on plural shafts and discharges the sheet from the discharge port to the accommodation portion; a moving unit that is provided with the discharge roll and reciprocates in a width direction intersecting a discharge direction of the sheet; and a wall surface portion that is provided in the moving unit, is present at least in a space from an upper end of the side wall surface to a shaft that is closer to the upper end among the plural shafts, and is present on a downstream side of the side wall surface in the discharge direction.