Side Edge Alignment Control for Skewed Media Post-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing apparatuses struggle to effectively suppress medium skew during transport, leading to potential damage of corners and improper alignment due to components like width adjustment cursors.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing apparatus with a side edge alignment section that moves in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction, performing adjustment and alignment operations in a step-by-step manner, including a controller to manage its position and execute these operations at optimal times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a width adjustment component is used to narrow the transport path, then medium skew is suppressed, but corner damage occurs or medium alignment fails
Solution Approach 1:
The side edge alignment section performs a preliminary adjustment operation by moving to a third position that is between the first position (alignment position) and second position (stacking position). This preliminary action gently guides the skewed medium before final alignment, preventing corner damage while achieving proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The side edge alignment section dynamically adjusts its position during medium transport. It moves between first, second, and third positions based on the medium's skew state, transitioning from a retracted position to an intermediate guidance position, and finally to the alignment position, adapting to the medium's condition in real-time.
2Manufacturing precision
If the side edge alignment section moves to the first position to align medium, then alignment precision is improved, but medium transport time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment operation at the third position serves as a preliminary alignment step that reduces medium skew before the final alignment operation at the first position. This two-stage approach achieves high alignment precision while minimizing the time the medium needs to be held in the alignment position.
Solution Approach 2:
The side edge alignment section continuously adjusts the medium's position during transport through the adjustment operation, rather than requiring a separate, time-consuming alignment step after transport. This continuous useful action maintains productivity while achieving precise alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing apparatus includes a side edge alignment section configured to move to a first position, a second position, that is farther from the side edges in the width direction than the first position, and a third position, that is between the first position and the second position in the width direction. The post-processing apparatus is configured to execute an adjustment operation of moving the side edge alignment section from the second position to the third position and an alignment operation of aligning the medium by causing the side edge alignment section to abut on the medium in the first position. The adjustment operation is executed while the first transport section transports the medium and the alignment operation is executed after the adjustment operation is performed and after the medium reaches a tip end alignment section.