Sheet Processing for Switchbackless Shift Discharge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in improving the productivity of the shift discharge process while maintaining a low cost, particularly in configurations where sheets are conveyed in a reverse direction and shifted for binding processes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a first conveyance portion for forward movement, a second conveyance portion for reverse movement, a shifting portion for lateral movement, and a processing portion for binding, enabling both binding discharge and switchbackless shift discharge processes without reversing the sheet's direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sheets are conveyed in reverse direction on the processing tray to enable binding process, then binding discharge process can be performed, but productivity is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding discharge capabilityVSAvoidshift discharge productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by eliminating the reverse conveyance mechanism entirely. Instead of conveying sheets backward on the processing tray for binding operations, the system uses a dedicated binding tray positioned downstream in the forward conveyance direction. The binding process is performed on sheets that are already positioned in the forward flow, eliminating the need for reverse movement while maintaining binding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the sheet processing function into separate dedicated trays: a processing tray for general operations and a dedicated binding tray for binding processes. This segmentation allows sheets to be diverted to the binding tray in the forward conveyance direction, eliminating the need for reverse conveyance on the processing tray while maintaining binding discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If reverse conveyance is implemented on the processing tray, then binding process can be performed, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding process capabilityVSAvoidconveyance mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning the binding tray downstream in the forward conveyance direction rather than requiring reverse conveyance. This eliminates complex reverse movement mechanisms while maintaining the ability to perform binding processes on sheets in the forward flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sheet diversion mechanism as an intermediary that directs sheets from the processing tray to the binding tray in the forward conveyance direction. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex reverse conveyance while enabling binding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If sheets are shifted in shift direction intersecting with conveyance direction, then alignment for binding is achieved, but process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet alignment precisionVSAvoidshift discharge process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing sheet alignment in the shift direction before sheets are conveyed to the binding tray. The alignment means positions sheets correctly in the shift direction during the forward conveyance process, so that when sheets reach the binding tray, they are already properly aligned and ready for immediate binding operations, reducing overall process time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by performing alignment and binding operations in the continuous forward conveyance flow without interruption for reverse movement. Sheets are aligned in the shift direction and then immediately bound in sequence, eliminating idle time associated with reverse conveyance and repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12441577B2Sheet processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC

AI summary

In a binding discharge process, a binding process is performed on a plurality of sheets positioned at a binding position by repeating a process in which, after a conveyed sheet is conveyed in a reverse direction on a placement portion by a second conveyance portion to cause a downstream end of the sheet to abut an abutment portion, the sheet is moved in a shift direction and positioned at the binding position by a first shifting portion, and the plurality of sheets subjected to the binding process are discharged onto the stacking portion by a discharge portion. In a switchbackless shift discharge process, the conveyed sheet is shifted in the shift direction by the first shifting portion by driving a driving portion without conveying the sheet in the reverse direction by the second conveyance portion, and is discharged onto the stacking portion by the discharge portion.