Sheet Stacking Aligning Arms Prevent Inclination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet stacking apparatuses face challenges in aligning sheets in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction without causing sheet inclination due to the torque applied by misaligned aligning members, especially when dealing with sheet bundles of varying thickness and curvature.

Innovation Solution

A sheet stacking apparatus with vertically rotatable and movable aligning arms and members, where the controller adjusts the position and orientation of the aligning members to align sheets accurately, preventing torque-induced inclination by ensuring proper alignment and contact with the previously stacked sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the pair of aligning members is disposed above the discharge portion and rotatably supported with the upper part of the discharge portion as a rotating center, then the aligning members can align sheets in the sheet width direction, but when the aligning members are rotated to move one member downward, the alignment region changes by a rotating radius, causing torque on the sheet and sheet inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet alignment precision in width directionVSAvoidsheet inclination prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a horizontal rotating configuration to a vertical linear configuration. The aligning members are disposed vertically below the discharge portion and move linearly in the vertical direction rather than rotating horizontally. This dimensional change eliminates the torque-induced inclination problem while maintaining alignment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the aligning members below the discharge portion instead of above it, and supports them at the lower part rather than the upper part. This inversion allows the aligning members to move vertically without creating torque on the sheets, thus preventing sheet inclination while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If one aligning member is moved downward to align sheets in width direction, then alignment is achieved, but the alignment region position changes due to rotation radius, causing torque and sheet inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet width alignmentVSAvoidsheet stacking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the aligning members movable in the vertical direction rather than fixed in position. This dynamic configuration allows the aligning members to adjust their position vertically to accommodate sheets of varying thickness while maintaining proper alignment, thereby improving both alignment precision and stacking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from horizontal rotational movement to vertical linear movement. This dimensional change ensures that the alignment region position remains stable in the horizontal plane while allowing vertical adjustment, eliminating torque-induced inclination and improving sheet stacking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pair of aligning members is disposed above the discharge portion to avoid interference with sheet bundles, then discharge freedom is maintained, but the aligning members cannot properly align sheets without causing inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge portion swing freedomVSAvoidsheet alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the aligning members below the discharge portion instead of above it. This inversion allows the discharge portion to swing freely upward without interference while the aligning members remain in a position where they can properly align sheets without causing inclination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the functions of the discharge portion and the aligning members by placing them in different spatial zones. The discharge portion operates in the upper region with full swing freedom, while the aligning members operate in the lower region, providing alignment functionality without interfering with discharge operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8651480B2Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 CANON KK

AI summary

A finisher 100 includes a pair of bundle discharge rollers 130, a lower stack tray 137, and a width-direction aligning portion 200. The width-direction aligning portion includes a pair of aligning members 1 and a driving motor. The aligning member includes a pair of first aligning members 91 that is rotatably supported while being movable in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction and a pair of second aligning members 92. The driving motor rotates the pair of first aligning members and moves the pair of first aligning members in the width direction. When the pair of first aligning members rotates and one of the pair of second aligning members abuts on the sheet, the pair of second aligning members forms opposite surfaces in which the sheet can be aligned in the width direction, and the pair of first aligning members align the sheet by the opposite surfaces.