Stapling Portion Airflow for Sheet Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image forming apparatuses often experience defects such as sheet curls due to moisture in the sheets after image formation, and existing post-processing apparatuses lack configurations to suppress these defects.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing apparatus with a stapling portion that moves back-and-forth and an airflow generating portion that directs airflow into the movement space of the stapling portion, controlled by a drive control portion to maintain a temperature above a predetermined level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stapling portion is provided below the sheet conveying path to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the movement space temperature becomes insufficient for drying sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generating portion is activated before the stapling operation to pre-heat the movement space to a temperature above the dew point. This preliminary heating action prevents moisture condensation on sheets before they enter the stapling process, resolving the temperature insufficiency issue while maintaining the compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An airflow generating portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the stapling portion and the sheets. This mediator provides thermal energy to the movement space through generated airflow, enabling temperature control without requiring direct heating elements in the compact stapling area.
2Productivity
If the stapling portion moves back-and-forth to bundle sheets, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature control in the movement space becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generating portion operates continuously during the stapling portion's back-and-forth movement to maintain constant temperature in the movement space. This continuous airflow ensures that thermal conditions remain stable despite the dynamic motion of the stapling portion, enabling both high productivity and reliable temperature control.
3Reliability
If the airflow generating portion is added to heat the movement space, then the drying effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generating portion serves multiple functions: it heats the movement space to prevent moisture condensation, dries the sheets during processing, and maintains temperature stability during stapling operations. This multi-functionality achieves reliable defect suppression while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using a single component for multiple purposes.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the occurrence of defects caused by moisture in the sheets after image formation by promoting drying through controlled airflow and temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow generating portion configured to generate an airflow that flows into a movement space of the stapling portion
Implementation Method 2
causes the stapling portion to move back-and-forth
Data Source
AI summary
A post processing apparatus includes a first sheet stacking portion, a stapling portion, a driving portion, and an airflow generating portion. The first sheet stacking portion stacks the sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus that forms images on the sheets. The stapling portion is provided below a sheet conveying path leading to the first sheet stacking portion so as to be able to move along a width direction of the sheet orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheet, and is configured to bundle sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking portion. The driving portion generates a driving force that moves the stapling portion according to the power supply. The airflow generating portion generates an airflow that flows into a movement space of the stapling portion via the driving portion.