Image Forming Apparatus Conveyor Mark Removal Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face delays in producing printed matter due to the need to form and measure marks for image adjustment, which can prevent printing and extend production time when marks are being formed.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a forming unit for creating marks, a conveyor member for conveying the marks, a detecting unit for measuring the marks, and a control device that allows printing to commence when a blank area without marks is sufficient for the sheet length, even if the marks have not been completely removed from the conveyor member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mark is formed on the conveyor member before printing, then image adjustment can be performed, but printing cannot start immediately and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mark formation is performed in advance on the conveyor member before printing starts. The control device determines whether the mark has been formed and uses this information to decide when to start printing, allowing the mark preparation to be completed beforehand without delaying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically determines the start timing of printing based on the actual state of mark formation. Instead of using a fixed sequence, the system adapts the printing start time according to whether the mark has been formed, is being formed, or has not been formed yet, optimizing the workflow flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If printing waits for mark removal completion, then image adjustment is accurate, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system does not require complete mark removal before printing starts. Instead, it uses a threshold judgment: when the remaining mark area is determined to be within an acceptable range (not completely removed but sufficiently small), printing can proceed. This partial completion approach balances accuracy requirements with production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the parameter of mark removal completeness from a binary requirement (must be completely removed) to a continuous judgment (remaining area within threshold). This parameter change allows printing to start when the mark area is sufficiently small without requiring full removal, improving productivity while maintaining adjustment accuracy.
3Productivity
If the conveyor member is used for both mark formation and printing, then device utilization increases, but mark interference with printing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control device identifies the specific location where the mark is present on the conveyor member and determines the blank area where printing can occur without mark interference. By locally analyzing the mark position and determining safe printing zones, the system allows simultaneous mark formation and printing operations in different locations without quality degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional sequential process (complete mark removal before printing) to a multi-dimensional approach considering both spatial location (mark position on conveyor) and temporal aspects (mark formation progress). This allows printing to start in the blank area while marks are still being removed from other areas, optimizing resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus which may include a forming unit configured to form a mark for image adjustment, a conveyor member configured to convey the mark formed by the forming unit and a detecting unit configured to detect the mark conveyed by the conveyor member. Further, the image forming apparatus may include a removing unit configured to remove the mark conveyed by the conveyor member, from the conveyor member; and a control device. According to aspects of the disclosure, after the forming unit has formed a mark for image adjustment, the control device may be configured to determine whether the mark has been removed from the conveyor member and based on the determination of whether the mark has been removed from the conveyor member, begin printing of print data even when the mark has not been completely removed from the conveyor member.