Sheet Stacking Apparatus Elastic Alignment Motor Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet stacking apparatuses face challenges in aligning sheets of varying widths, as the load torque applied to the aligning members can exceed the motor's allowable torque, causing the motor to step out and resulting in deviation and poor alignment, especially when sheets of larger widths are stacked.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a pair of sheet alignment mechanisms with an aligning member, a motor, a driver, and an elastic member, where the elastic member absorbs the reaction force from the sheets, allowing the aligning member to reciprocate and maintain alignment without exceeding the motor's torque limits, and includes a configuration with a sliding portion and a fixing member to prevent motor stepping out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the aligning member presses the sheet edge to align sheets of larger widths, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the load torque exceeds the motor's allowable torque causing the motor to step out
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is pre-installed between the driver and aligning member to cushion the reaction force before it reaches the motor. When the aligning member presses against sheets of larger widths, the elastic member deforms elastically to absorb the excess load, preventing the motor torque from exceeding its allowable limit and causing step-out, while still enabling effective alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the aligning member applies sufficient pressing force to align sheets, then the alignment quality is improved, but the reaction force causes motor stepping out
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as an intermediary element between the driver (motor) and the aligning member. It transmits the driving force from the motor to the aligning member while simultaneously absorbing the reaction force generated during sheet alignment. This mediation allows the aligning member to apply sufficient pressing force for high-quality alignment without directly transmitting the full reaction force to the motor, thereby preventing motor stepping out and maintaining operational stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures accurate alignment of sheets of varying widths by absorbing the load through the elastic member, preventing motor stepping out and maintaining alignment quality across different sheet sizes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, which extends due to reaction force generated in response to pressing force applied to an edge of the sheet by the aligning member when a size of the sheet is larger than a prescribed size
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a pair of sheet alignment mechanisms disposed to face each other in a direction of conveyance of a sheet or in a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance. Each one of the pair of sheet alignment mechanisms includes an aligning member, an elastic member, a driver, and a driving source. The aligning member reciprocates with reference to the sheet. The elastic member extends due to reaction force generated in response to pressing force applied to an edge of the sheet by the aligning member when a size of the sheet is larger than a prescribed size. The driver is coupled to the aligning member via the elastic member. The driving source transfers a driving force to the driver.