Tabbed Sheet Regulation Unit for Stable Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveying apparatuses face challenges in efficiently conveying tabbed sheets, leading to unstable blowing-up, jamming, and reduced productivity due to the inability to effectively regulate tabbed sheets, resulting in increased sheet intervals and potential delays.
Innovation Solution
A tabbed sheet regulation unit with a movably positioned tab portion regulation portion that abuts and regulates the tab portions of tabbed sheets, integrated with the tray's lifting mechanism to maintain proper sheet alignment and prevent overlap during conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed tab guide is attached to the upper surface of the tray, then tabbed sheets can be regulated, but the stacking capacity is reduced due to the guide occupying space
Solution Approach 1:
The tab guide is changed from a fixed structure to a movable one that can be lifted together with the tray. The guide is positioned on the upper surface of the tray and is capable of moving vertically, allowing it to be raised when the tray is lifted and lowered when the tray is lowered, thus clearing the path for the tray during lifting operations while maintaining its sheet-regulating function when the tray is stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable tab guide is integrated with the tray structure, nesting the guide within the overall tray assembly. This allows the guide to move with the tray as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting mechanisms and maximizing the use of available space while maintaining functionality.
2Productivity
If the tray is lifted to convey sheets, then sheet conveyance is enabled, but the fixed tab guide collides with the lifting mechanism causing operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The tab guide is designed to move dynamically with the tray during lifting operations. By positioning the guide on the upper surface of the tray and allowing it to move vertically, the guide clears the path during tray elevation, preventing collisions with the lifting mechanism while maintaining its regulatory function when the tray is stationary.
3Reliability
If the tab guide is positioned low to avoid collision, then lifting clearance is provided, but the amount of tabbed sheets that can be guided is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the guide low to avoid collision, the guide is positioned on the upper surface of the tray and designed to move vertically with the tray. This dynamic positioning allows the guide to be high when the tray is stationary (guiding more sheets) and clear the path when the tray is lifted (preventing collision), thus resolving the contradiction between guide height and lifting clearance.
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 solution allows for increased stacking capacity of tabbed sheets and enhances operational efficiency and productivity by ensuring stable conveyance and preventing jamming and overlap issues.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing portion (30) which blows air to the edge of the sheet bundle on the tray, blows up the plural sheets S, and separates each of them
Implementation Method 2
an absorption fan (36) which causes a negative pressure for absorbing the sheet S to the absorption conveying belt (21)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can obtain high operability and productivity when a tabbed sheet is conveyed. In the representative configuration thereof, a trailing edge regulation plate is abutted on tab portions of some of tabbed sheets stacked and supported on a tray to regulate the position of the tabbed sheet. Tab portion regulation portions of a tabbed sheet regulation unit provided at the upper end of the trailing edge regulation plate are abutted on the tab portion of the tabbed sheet formed in the position where the tab portion is not abutted on the regulation portion and regulate the position of the tabbed sheet. The tab portion regulation portions of the tabbed sheet regulation unit can be moved. The tab portion regulation portions are moved with the lifting of the tray when being abutted on the lifting tray.