Sheet Stacking Mechanism with Movable Receiving Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet stacking mechanisms in image forming apparatuses face issues with sheet disorder and jamming due to unstable sheet stacking, particularly when sheets are curled, leading to collisions and noise from paddles used to prevent these issues.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking mechanism with a movable receiving member on the sheet placing table, controlled to move the leading end of a sheet to a first position and the trailing end to a second position under the carry-in opening, preventing collisions and disorder without using paddles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a paddle is used to press sheets in the guiding path, then sheet collision and disorder can be prevented, but loud hitting sound (noise) is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the paddle component from the sheet stacking mechanism. Instead of using a paddle to press and guide sheets, the system relies on the natural gravity-driven movement of sheets and the positioning of the sheet placing table to achieve stable stacking without generating noise from paddle impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet stacking system utilizes the sheets' own weight and gravity to achieve proper positioning and stacking. The sheets guide themselves through the conveying path without requiring an active pressing mechanism, thereby eliminating noise while maintaining stacking reliability.
2Productivity
If sheets are stacked in a curled state, then stacking speed can be maintained, but sheet switch (disorder in numbering) and jam occur due to sheets slipping in clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet placing table is positioned and angled such that sheets are properly aligned and settled before they enter the stacking area. This preliminary positioning ensures that even if sheets are slightly curled, they maintain correct orientation and spacing, preventing slips and numbering errors during the stacking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a specific inclination angle to the sheet placing table in the region where sheets are conveyed and stacked. This localized angular configuration optimizes sheet flow and positioning precisely where needed, ensuring stable stacking without requiring complete flattening of curled sheets, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a simple construction with only carry-in rollers is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sheet jam occurs due to collision between trailing end and leading end of sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet placing table is configured with a specific inclination angle that creates a gravitational flow field, ensuring sheets move smoothly and maintain consistent spacing. This gravitational assistance compensates for the simplicity of the roller mechanism, preventing collisions between sheets while keeping the device structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the dynamic interaction between the inclined sheet placing table and gravity-driven sheet movement to achieve reliable conveyance. The angle of the table dynamically controls sheet flow, allowing simple rollers to effectively prevent jams through geometric design rather than complex mechanical controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving member for receiving the leading end of sheet on a sheet placing table is disposed movably along the upper surface of the sheet placing table within a specified range including a first position located at the other end of the sheet placing table and distanced from a carry-in opening at least by the length of the sheet, and an operation control unit causes the receiving member to move to a second position where the trailing end of the sheet received by the receiving member slips under the carry-in opening.