Sheet Processing Tray Skew Detection and Support Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet processing systems face issues with skew detection and paper jam due to incorrect size detection and skew generation during sheet conveyance, leading to inefficiencies in post-processing operations like stapling and punching.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing system equipped with a skew sensor and corner sensor that detect skew angles and corner positions, allowing the controller to adjust the positions of the tray supports to prevent jamming by calculating and correcting the skew angle, ensuring proper alignment and support of sheets during conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the standby tray adjusts support positions based on detected sheet size, then sheet alignment is improved, but paper jams occur due to skew generation during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary skew detection using the skew sensor before the sheet reaches the standby tray supports. The controller calculates the skew angle in advance and pre-adjusts the support positions to compensate for the expected skew, preventing paper jams before they occur rather than reacting after the sheet is already skewed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the skew sensor continuously detects sheet skew during conveyance, the controller calculates the skew angle, and the support positions are dynamically adjusted based on this real-time feedback. This closed-loop control ensures accurate sheet alignment while preventing paper jams
2Device complexity
If the system uses fixed support positions in the standby tray, then device complexity is reduced, but sheet alignment deteriorates when skew is generated during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The standby tray support positions are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system uses actuators to move the supports based on real-time skew detection, allowing the tray to adapt to varying sheet conditions while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of the standby tray supports based on detected skew angles. By dynamically adjusting support positions according to measured skew, the system achieves accurate sheet alignment without requiring complex mechanical structures
3Manufacturing precision
If the skew sensor and corner sensor are added to detect sheet position, then sheet alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with optical/electronic sensors (skew sensor and corner sensor) and computational processing. This substitution achieves precise sheet alignment through detection and calculation rather than through complex mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The skew sensor and corner sensor act as intermediaries between the sheet conveyance system and the control system. These sensors provide measurement data that enables the controller to calculate skew angles and adjust support positions, serving as a bridge that simplifies the overall control architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing system according to an embodiment includes a tray that supports a sheet on opposite sides of the sheet orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet. The tray includes a first adjustable support and second adjustable support positioned opposite the first adjustable support in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet. A skew sensor detects a skew angle of the sheet conveyed to the tray. A corner sensor detects positions of each corner on a front end in the downstream direction of the sheet conveyed to the tray. A controller controls movement of the first and second adjustable supports based on the detected skew angle and the detected positions of each corner on the front end of the sheet conveyed to the tray so that the sheet is conveyed to the tray without jamming.