Conveyance Control System for Multi-Printer Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing, such as printing, face challenges in efficiently conveying a target object after pretreatment to multiple processing devices, requiring effective selection and recognition of conveyance paths to ensure proper processing.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance control system with first and second conveyance portions, printers, and a conveyance control portion that communicates to control the conveyance paths, storing identification information to associate printers with their respective conveyance paths, enabling efficient conveyance of a platen to the appropriate printer for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple processing devices are disposed latterly to perform processing on target objects, then processing efficiency is improved, but conveyance path selection and recognition becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A conveyance control portion is introduced as an intermediary device that receives conveyance path selection information from the target object (via sensor detection) and controls the conveyance portions accordingly. This mediator coordinates between multiple processing devices and the conveyance system, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling efficient multi-device processing
Solution Approach 2:
Conveyance path selection information is detected in advance before the target object reaches the processing devices. The conveyance control portion acquires this information beforehand and prepares the appropriate conveyance path, ensuring seamless transitions between processing devices without delays or errors
2Adaptability or versatility
If conveyance paths are individually provided to each processing device, then processing flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance control portion serves multiple functions: it detects target objects, acquires conveyance path selection information, determines appropriate conveyance paths, and controls conveyance portions. This multi-functional component handles various processing scenarios (different target objects, different processing devices) through a unified control mechanism, providing flexibility without proportional increases in system complexity
3Reliability
If association between processing devices and conveyance paths is required, then accurate conveyance is improved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target object itself carries or provides conveyance path selection information that identifies which processing device should process it. The sensor detects this information automatically, and the conveyance control portion uses it to determine the appropriate conveyance path. This self-identifying mechanism eliminates the need for complex external information management systems while ensuring accurate conveyance to the correct processing device
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyance control system (1) is provided with a conveyance portion that conveys a platen (50), a printer (31A, 32A ... 32C, 33C) provided in the conveyance portion and capable of performing printing on a print medium (P) held by the platen received from the conveyance portion, and a PC (5) that is communicably connected to the printer and controls the conveyance portion. A storage portion of the PC stores identification information of the printer and identification information of the conveyance portion (81, 82, 83, 84, 91A, 92A ... 93C, 93D) in association with each other. The PC acquires the identification information of the conveyance portion associated with the identification information of the printer. A CPU of the PC causes the platen to be conveyed by the conveyance portion, on the basis of the acquired identification information.