Sheet Stacking Apparatus Segmented Storage for Registration and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, sheet deviations in the width direction can lead to image misalignment, and high humidity environments cause sheet undulation and moisture absorption, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacking apparatus with a movable storage unit, regulating members for sheet edges, and a sealing mechanism using a hermetic seal to maintain a consistent print gap and reduce moisture absorption, allowing for adjustable lateral registration without altering the sealing unit's compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the position of the sheet storage is adjusted in the front-rear direction to correct lateral registration deviation, then the image alignment is improved, but the sealing between the storage and main body frame may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the storage unit into two independent units: a first unit containing the pair of regulating members for lateral registration adjustment, and a second unit containing the sealing surface. This segmentation allows the first unit to be adjusted independently to correct lateral registration deviation while the second unit maintains constant sealing with the main body frame, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and sealing reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the storage is sealed to prevent moisture absorption in high humidity environments, then sheet undulation is reduced, but lateral registration adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage unit into an adjustable first unit and a fixed sealed second unit, the invention enables lateral registration adjustment through the first unit while the second unit maintains hermetic sealing to prevent moisture absorption. This resolves the contradiction between environmental protection and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first unit is designed to be movable and adjustable in the front-rear direction to enable lateral registration correction, while the second unit remains fixed to maintain sealing. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to registration requirements without compromising the sealing integrity.
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 solution ensures accurate image alignment and reduces sheet undulation in high humidity environments by maintaining a stable print gap and consistent sealing, enhancing image quality and preventing print head damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member (hermetic seal) is disposed between a first sealing surface provided on the holder and a second sealing surface provided on the storage
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a storage storing a sheet, a conveyance unit, a sealing member, and a holder. The conveyance unit conveys the stored sheet in a conveyance direction. The holder movably holds the storage in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The storage includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a pair of regulating members that regulate both edges of the sheet stored in the storage in the sheet width direction. The second unit includes a second sealing surface disposed opposite to a first sealing surface provided on the holder. The sealing member is disposed between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. A relative position between the first unit and the second unit is changeable.