Swingable Sheet Discharging Device for Curl Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet discharging devices face challenges in handling curled media during transport and stacking, leading to hindered transport and stacking processes, as they do not effectively address medium deformation such as curling.

Innovation Solution

A sheet discharging device with a swingable medium supporting portion, an elevatable stacking portion, and a detecting mechanism that detects swinging to determine medium deformation, allowing for appropriate adjustment of the stacking portion's position to prevent stacking deviation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional stacking portion is used to stack transported medium, then stacking can be performed, but curling of the medium hinders transport and stacking operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking operationVSAvoidtransport and stacking process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The medium supporting portion performs preliminary action by applying support force to the medium before stacking occurs. This preliminary support prevents curling from developing during transport and positioning, ensuring the medium remains flat and ready for stacking without hindrance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The medium supporting portion applies a preliminary counteracting force against the curling tendency of the medium. By detecting curling and providing opposing support force before stacking, the system prevents the harmful curling effect from interfering with the stacking operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Manufacturing precision

If the medium supporting portion is made swingable to detect medium deformation, then stacking deviation can be prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking position accuracyVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The medium supporting portion performs self-service by using its own swingable movement to detect medium deformation. The detection function is integrated into the supporting structure itself, eliminating the need for separate complex detection mechanisms while maintaining stacking position accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The medium supporting portion serves multiple functions: it supports the medium during transport, detects curling through its swingable movement, and adjusts positioning to prevent stacking deviation. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several functions into one component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11203503B2Sheet discharging device, method of controlling sheet discharging device, processing device, and recording system

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A sheet discharging device includes: a medium supporting portion configured to support a transported medium, the medium supporting portion being configured to swing; a stacking portion which is provided vertically below the medium supporting portion and on which the medium dropped from the medium supporting portion is stacked, the stacking portion being configured to move up and down; and a detecting portion that detects swinging of the medium supporting portion, in which the detecting portion detects the swinging of the medium supporting portion when the medium on the rising stacking portion comes into contact with a lower surface of the medium supporting portion.