Switchable Aligning Surfaces for Sheet Discharge Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium processing apparatuses often result in sheets being stacked in a stepwise displaced manner on discharge trays, leading to user inefficiency and potential damage to sheet rear ends when not intended for stapling, as they are not designed for simple stacking.
Innovation Solution
A medium aligning apparatus with switchable first and second aligning surfaces, where the second aligning surface forms a smaller angle with the discharge tray wall than the first, preventing stepwise displacement and allowing for improved usability and reduced damage by aligning rear ends of mediums during discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sheets are discharged onto the discharge tray with rear ends aligned against a wall surface at a larger angle (first aligning surface), then the sheets are properly aligned for stapling processes, but the sheets are loaded in a stepwise displaced manner causing user inefficiency and potential damage when simple stacking is intended
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning surface is made switchable between two angular positions. The first aligning surface (larger angle) is used for stapling processes, while the second aligning surface (smaller angle) is used for simple stacking. This dynamic adjustment allows the same apparatus to adapt to different operational requirements without adding complex separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle parameter of the aligning surface is changed between two discrete values. By switching the angular parameter of the aligning surface relative to the wall, the system optimizes for either stapling alignment or simple stacking alignment, eliminating the stepwise displacement problem while maintaining stapling capability when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single aligning surface is used for all discharge scenarios, then the device structure remains simple, but the sheets cannot be properly aligned for both stapling and simple stacking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning mechanism is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating two switchable aligning surfaces. The same discharge mechanism and aligning structure serve both stapling operations (first aligning surface) and simple stacking operations (second aligning surface), making the apparatus versatile without requiring entirely separate systems for each function.
3Productivity
If sheets are stacked in a stepwise displaced manner on the discharge tray, then the discharge mechanism is simple, but user efficiency decreases and rear ends of sheets may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning surfaces perform preliminary alignment of sheet rear ends before the sheets are fully discharged onto the tray. By pre-aligning the sheets at the discharge point using the appropriate aligning surface (second aligning surface for simple stacking), the system prevents stepwise displacement and potential damage before it occurs, rather than requiring post-processing alignment by the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A medium aligning apparatus includes a load tray including a load surface on which a medium discharged from a discharge member that discharges a medium is loaded, a first aligning surface that aligns a plurality of mediums loaded on the load tray by positioning rear ends of the mediums, and a second aligning surface that aligns the mediums by positioning the rear ends of the mediums loaded on the load tray. In the medium aligning apparatus, the first aligning surface and the second aligning surface are switchable, and an angle formed between a wall surface in the discharge tray that receives the mediums discharged from the load tray, the wall surface having the rear ends of the mediums come in contact therewith, and the second aligning surface is smaller than an angle formed between the wall surface and the first aligning surface.