Sheet Processing Apparatus Lower Support for Shift Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses are unable to perform shift operations on long sheets like A3 size without inclining them, as they lack adequate support mechanisms to stabilize the sheets during the shift process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a transport section, a processing tray with a side edge alignment section and a lower support section that moves in conjunction with the sheet, providing additional support from below to prevent inclining, and features multiple alignment and support portions to stabilize the sheet during the shift operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional alignment unit pinches sheets in the longitudinal direction to perform a shift operation, then the alignment unit can shift stacked sheets, but long sheets (e.g., A3 size) become inclined during the shift operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a lower support section that moves in the width direction (another dimension) to support long sheets from below during the shift operation. This additional dimensional support prevents the sheets from inclining while being shifted by the alignment unit, thereby maintaining both alignment precision and sheet stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower support section moves in the width direction to support long sheets from below, then sheet stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower support section is integrated with the alignment unit structure, sharing common components and control mechanisms. This merging approach allows the lower support section to move in coordination with the alignment unit without requiring entirely separate drive systems, thereby reducing the overall device complexity while still providing the necessary support for long sheets.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes: a processing tray section having a sheet mounting surface on which a transported sheet is mounted and a processing section that performs processing on the sheet; a side edge alignment section that is provided on the processing tray section and aligns a side edge of the sheet; a lower support section that is provided downstream of the processing tray section in a transport direction of the sheet and supports the sheet from below; and a discharge tray located below the lower support section. The side edge alignment section performs a shift operation of shifting the sheet in a shift direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet. The lower support section moves in the shift direction in conjunction with a movement of the sheet in a state of supporting the sheet from below during the shift operation by the side edge alignment section.