Printing Apparatus with Branching Paths for Variable-Length Duplex Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face inefficiencies in performing double-sided printing on print media of varying lengths, as they often require complex conveyance paths that do not adapt to different media sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus incorporates a conveyance path system with branching and merging points, allowing for multiple reversing paths of varying lengths to accommodate print media of different sizes, and a switching unit to adjust the conveyance path based on media length, ensuring efficient double-sided printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conveyance path is used for double-sided printing, then the structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle print media of different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is divided into multiple segments with different lengths. The first conveyance path has a first length, the second conveyance path has a second length longer than the first, and the third conveyance path has a third length longer than the second. This segmentation allows the system to handle print media of different lengths by selecting the appropriate path segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance path configuration is made dynamic through switching units that can change the path length based on the length of the print medium being processed. The switching units allow the system to adapt the conveyance path length to match the print medium length, enabling efficient double-sided printing for various media sizes.
2Productivity
If the conveyance path is optimized for longer media, then long media can be printed efficiently, but short media cannot be printed during the reversal process
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance path length to match the print medium length. For long media, the first conveyance path is used; for medium-length media, the second conveyance path is used; and for short media, the third conveyance path is used. This dynamic adaptation ensures that printing can proceed efficiently without idle time for any media length.
Solution Approach 2:
The path length parameter is changed based on the print medium length. By having multiple conveyance paths with different lengths (first length < second length < third length), the system can optimize the conveyance path parameter to match each print medium, preventing printing delays.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed conveyance path configuration is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it requires idle time to wait for long media to complete reversal before printing short media
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, the system incorporates switching units that automatically select the appropriate conveyance path based on print medium length. This dynamic selection eliminates waiting time without significantly complicating the operation, as the switching is automated based on detected media length.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the print medium length detection to automatically select the appropriate conveyance path. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to different media lengths without requiring complex manual operation, maintaining ease of use while eliminating idle waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit, and first, second, and third conveyance paths. The printing unit performs printing at a printing position on a print medium conveyed in a conveyance direction. The first conveyance path causes the print medium to pass through the printing position of the printing unit. The second conveyance path reverses obverse and reverse surfaces of the print medium, and the third conveyance path reverses obverse and reverse surfaces of the print medium. The second conveyance path branches from the first conveyance path at a first branching point on a downstream side of the printing position in the conveyance direction and merges into the first conveyance path on an upstream side of the printing position. The third conveyance path branches from a second branching point on the second conveyance path and merges into the first conveyance path on the upstream side of the printing position.