Adjustable Sheet Support for Stable Discharge and Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sheet discharge devices, sheets may hang down or collide with the discharge tray due to the top face being set lower than the discharge port, leading to sheet discharge failures and stacking issues.

Innovation Solution

A sheet discharge device with a movable support member that adjusts its projective length and retraction timing based on sheet characteristics, such as size, grain direction, thickness, and ink quantity, to prevent curling and ensure stable discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the discharge tray top face is set at a position lower than the discharge port to ensure sheet-stacking load, then the sheet-stacking load is improved, but the sheet may hang down and collide with the discharge tray causing discharge failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet-stacking loadVSAvoidsheet discharge success

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is configured to be movable between a retracted position and a projected position, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its structure based on operational requirements. During sheet discharge, the support member projects to prevent hanging; during stacking, it retracts to allow proper sheet placement, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge reliability and stacking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as an intermediary element between the discharge port and the discharge tray. It temporarily supports the sheet during the discharge process to prevent collision, then retracts to allow the sheet to be properly stacked on the tray, mediating between the conflicting requirements of discharge stability and stacking functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a support member is added to prevent sheet hanging and collision, then sheet discharge reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet discharge successVSAvoiddischarge device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt its position based on operational needs. This dynamic configuration enables the support function during discharge while minimizing structural interference during stacking, improving reliability without permanently increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member serves multiple functions: it supports the sheet during discharge to prevent hanging, provides alignment guidance, and then retracts to allow proper stacking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved discharge reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the support member projective length and retraction timing are fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different sheet characteristics is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoidsheet characteristic adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support member's projective length and retraction timing are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet characteristics such as size, weight, and flexibility. This dynamic adjustability enables optimal performance across various sheet types without requiring completely different device configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows modification of key parameters including the support member's projective length and retraction timing based on sheet characteristics. By changing these parameters rather than the entire device configuration, the system achieves high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12533895B2Sheet discharge device, and sheet postprocessing device, image forming apparatus, plus image forming system each including the sheet discharge device

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

The sheet discharge device includes a sheet discharge port, a discharge member, a sheet discharge tray, a support member, a drive mechanism, and a controller. The discharge member conveys sheets in a discharge direction. On the sheet discharge tray, the sheets discharged from the sheet discharge port are to be stacked. The support member is movable by the drive mechanism between a projective position in which the support member is projected to above the sheet discharge tray so as to support the sheets, and a retractive position in which the support member has retracted from the projective position to an upstream side of the sheet discharge port. The controller is enabled to adjust at least one of a projective length of the support member in its projective position and a shift timing from the projective position to the retractive position in response to characteristics of the sheets.