Sheet Processing Apparatus Automatic Stacker Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet processing systems cannot divide and stack sheets at a user-designated count, limiting their ability to efficiently manage large volumes of printed sheets.

Innovation Solution

A sheet processing apparatus and method that allows users to designate a specific sheet count for stacking, enabling the system to automatically switch to another stacker when the first becomes full, ensuring sheets are stacked at the desired count without operator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional stackers are used to store large volumes of printed sheets, then the stacking capacity is improved, but the ability to divide and stack sheets at user-designated counts is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking capacityVSAvoiduser-defined sheet count control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stacker is divided into multiple independent stacker trays (first stacker tray, second stacker tray, etc.), each capable of independently storing sheets. The control unit manages sheet distribution across these segmented trays based on user-designated counts, enabling both large-scale storage and precise portioning control simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If sheets are stacked continuously on a single tray to maximize capacity, then stacking efficiency is improved, but the ability to divide sheets at designated counts is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking efficiencyVSAvoidsheet count accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different stacker trays based on real-time sheet counts. When a tray reaches its designated count, the system automatically transitions to the next tray, maintaining both high stacking efficiency and precise count control through adaptive, dynamic tray selection rather than static single-tray stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the number of sheets stacked on each tray and uses this feedback information to determine when to switch trays. This closed-loop control ensures that sheets are stacked precisely at user-designated counts while maintaining continuous operation and high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is used to divide and stack sheets, then sheet count control is improved, but operator workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet count controlVSAvoidoperator intervention requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stacker system performs self-service by automatically monitoring sheet counts, determining when trays are full, and switching between trays without operator intervention. The control unit autonomously manages the entire stacking process, eliminating the need for manual counting and tray switching while maintaining precise sheet count control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2515176B1Sheet processing apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus, program and storage medium
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 CANON KK
  • EP2515176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2515176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2515176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sheet count at which printed sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking unit (904 or 905) is received from a user. It is controlled to divide the printed sheets into sheets at the sheet count received from the user and stack the printed sheets on the sheet stacking unit.