Sheet Stacking Wire Multi-Support Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Recent image forming apparatuses require supporting a wide variety of sheets and large sheets with large basis weights, which exceeds the capacity of traditional sheet stacking apparatuses using cantilevered wires, leading to deformation and deterioration in stacking performance.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking apparatus with a wire configuration that includes a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a stacking portion located between them, supported by first and second support portions, allowing for improved weight distribution and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cantilevered wire is used as a stacking surface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wire cannot support the weight of stacked sheets having large basis weight or large sheets, leading to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is divided into multiple segments: a stacking portion for stacking sheets, a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and intermediate portions connecting them. This segmentation allows the wire to be supported at multiple points along its length, distributing the load and preventing deformation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire configuration transitions from a simple cantilevered structure to a multi-supported structure by adding support portions at different locations along the wire's length. This dimensional change in support distribution enables the wire to bear heavier loads without deformation.
2Device complexity
If a cantilevered wire is used as a stacking surface, then the structure is simple, but the sheet stacking performance deteriorates when stacking heavy or large sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is segmented into distinct functional portions: a stacking portion for sheet stacking, first and second supported portions for structural support, and intermediate portions connecting them. This segmentation provides multiple support points that prevent wire deformation under load, ensuring reliable sheet stacking performance without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wire are optimized for different functions: the stacking portion is designed for sheet contact and stacking, while the supported portions are optimized for load bearing. This local quality differentiation ensures both stacking performance and structural reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sheets having large basis weight or large sheets are stacked, then the capacity to handle diverse and large sheets is improved, but the weight of stacked sheets increases causing wire deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is divided into multiple supported portions along its length, creating multiple support points that distribute the weight of heavy or large sheets. This segmentation allows the structure to handle diverse sheet types with increased weight without causing wire deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure evolves from a single-point cantilever support to multi-point support along the wire's length. This dimensional change in support distribution enables the system to accommodate heavier and more diverse sheet types while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking apparatus on which a sheet discharged by a discharge portion is stacked includes a wire including a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a stacking portion on which the sheet discharged by the discharge portion is stacked and at least a part of which is located between the first supported portion and the second supported portion in a horizontal direction, a first support portion configured to support the first supported portion, and a second support portion configured to support the second supported portion.