Sheet Sorting Apparatus Tray Detachment Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet sorting apparatuses experience a decrease in stackability of sheets discharged to a second tray when the first tray is detached, due to the long distance between the full stack detecting sensor and the second tray, leading to reduced efficiency in sheet stacking.
Innovation Solution
A sheet sorting apparatus with a control unit that detects the detachment of the first tray and adjusts the discharge mechanism to stop discharging sheets to the second tray when a threshold number is reached, even if the full stack detecting unit has not yet detected a full stack, thereby maintaining stackability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the first tray is detached to increase the sheet stacking space of the second tray, then the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked in the second tray is increased, but the stackability of sheets discharged to the second tray decreases due to the long distance between the full stack detecting sensor and the second tray
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by stopping the discharge unit before the full stack detecting sensor actually detects a full stack. When the first tray is detached, the control unit predicts that the second tray will soon reach its stacking capacity based on the long distance to the sensor, and proactively stops discharge to prevent sheets from becoming misaligned and compromising stackability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the potential harmful effect of excessive discharge distance before it occurs. By detecting the detachment state of the first tray and anticipating the impending full stack condition in the second tray, the control unit preemptively stops the discharge process to prevent the degradation of stackability that would otherwise result from sheets being discharged too far.
2Productivity
If the discharge unit continues to discharge sheets to the second tray until the full stack detecting sensor detects a full stack, then the sheet stacking space is fully utilized, but the stackability of discharged sheets decreases due to the long detection distance
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit takes preliminary action by interrupting the discharge process before the full stack detecting sensor can confirm a full stack. This predictive control approach ensures that discharge stops at the optimal point where stackability is maintained, rather than continuing until the sensor detects full stack conditions that would compromise sheet alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit utilizes feedback from the tray detecting unit and full stack detecting sensor to dynamically adjust discharge operation. When the first tray is detached and the second tray approaches its stacking limit, the control unit receives feedback signals and modulates the discharge unit accordingly, stopping discharge proactively to preserve stackability while maximizing productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet sorting apparatus includes a first tray detachable from an apparatus main body, a second tray arranged below the first tray, a discharge unit to discharge a sheet to the first or second tray, a tray detecting unit to detect that the first tray is detached from the apparatus main body, a full stack detecting unit to detect a fully stacked condition of the first tray, and a control unit to control the discharge unit. In a case where the tray detecting unit detects that the first tray is detached from the apparatus main body, the control unit controls the discharge unit not to discharge a sheet to the second tray when a number of sheets discharged to the second tray reaches a threshold number of sheets, even though the full stack detecting unit does not detect the fully stacked condition.