SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING AN AUGER-BASED TRANSPORT MECHANISM FOR VERTICAL TRANSPORT OF IMAGE RECEIVING MEDIA IN IMAGE FORMING SYSTEMS

摘要

A system and method are provided for implementing an auger-based transport device as a vertical compiler in an image forming system. The auger-based transport device includes a plurality of mechanical augers for vertical transport of image receiving media substrates, or sets of substrates in a controlled manner. The disclosed auger-type drive systems leverage comparatively simpler mechanical operations to provide a plurality of auger devices that simplify the motions and mechanisms of the component elements in a vertical transport path in a manner that maintains positive control of each set of image receiving media substrates in a manner that does not disturb the sets as they are lowered vertically, eliminating errors introduced by random dropping of substrates in conventional vertical image receiving media substrate handling mechanisms. The auger components are not particularly limited in number, in pitch (constant or variable), in diameter and/or in use/function.

主权项

1. A method for handling image receiving media substrates in an image forming system, comprising:
providing a plurality of processed image receiving media substrates at an output of a first image receiving media substrate processing device in an image forming system; providing a vertical compiler in a vicinity of the output of the first image receiving media substrate processing device as a transport mechanism for one of individual substrates or collected sets of image receiving media substrates exiting the first image receiving media substrate processing device, the vertical compiler comprising:
a plurality of augers as the vertical transport mechanisms in the vertical compiler;at least one auger motor for driving the augers in a coordinated manner about respective vertical auger shafts for the plurality of augers; andan auger motor controller that controls operation of the at least one auger motor; collecting a set of image receiving media substrates in a first position on a top of the plurality of augers; and operating the plurality of augers to move the collected set of image receiving media substrates downward in the vertical compiler to a second position.