Sheet Width Alignment Using Segmented Pressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet post-processing apparatuses face challenges in precisely aligning sheet bundles in both width and length directions as the number of sheets increases, leading to potential deviations in folding positions due to increased resistance between sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet post-processing apparatus with a moving roller unit, a stopping member, and a control unit that aligns the width of each sheet as it is accumulated, using a pair of rubber carriage rollers to convey sheets and a pressing member to ensure proper alignment, eliminating the need for a separate transfer roller and reducing jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sheets are accumulated in the feed path for stacking and folding, then the productivity is improved by processing multiple sheets together, but the resistance between sheets increases making width alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The width alignment process is segmented into individual sheet operations rather than aligning the entire bundle at once. Each sheet is aligned separately as it is conveyed, preventing accumulation of alignment errors and reducing resistance-related positioning difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
Width alignment is performed preliminarily on each sheet before it is fully accumulated in the bundle. The pressing member aligns each sheet's width position in advance, ensuring that when sheets are stacked, they maintain proper alignment without requiring forceful pressing of the complete bundle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sheets are conveyed and accumulated using a stopper member, then the sheets are stacked in order, but the increased resistance between accumulated sheets causes alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member performs preliminary width alignment on each sheet before it joins the accumulated bundle. This preliminary action ensures that each sheet is properly positioned in the width direction while maintaining the stacking order enforced by the stopper member, preventing folding position deviations.
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
The apparatus achieves precise alignment of sheet bundles in both width and length directions, preventing deviations in folding positions and reducing the risk of jamming, resulting in a more efficient and accurate sheet folding process.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of rubber carriage rollers to convey sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet; a sheet accumulating feed path that is arranged on a downstream side of the sheet conveying unit in a sheet conveying direction and being capable of accumulating therein a plurality of sheets; a stopping member that stops a leading edge of a sheet conveyed into the sheet accumulating feed path; a width aligning unit that aligns a width of the sheet stopped by the stopping member and accumulated in the sheet accumulating feed path; and a control unit that performs control to cause: the sheet conveying unit to convey a sheet into the sheet accumulating feed path; the stopping member to stop the leading edge of the sheet; and the width aligning unit to align the width of a sheet every time a sheet is accumulated in the sheet accumulating feed path.