Decoloring Device Sheet Feeding Interval Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In decoloring devices, the time taken by management devices with low calculation and communication abilities to determine decoloring possibility and transmit results leads to delays, causing sheet jams due to the need to hold sheets between scanning and decoloring units, as the decoloring process cannot proceed until determination results are received.
Innovation Solution
The decoloring device calculates a sheet feeding interval based on reception time indication data from the management device, ensuring that the leading end of a following sheet does not collide with the tail end of a preceding sheet, even when the preceding sheet is held until determination results are received, by considering the processing and communication times of the management device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a management device with low calculation and communication abilities performs decoloring possibility determination, then device cost is reduced, but processing time increases causing sheet jams
Solution Approach 1:
The decoloring device performs preliminary actions by calculating the sheet feeding interval in advance based on reception time indication data from the management device. This allows the device to proactively adjust feeding timing before sheet jams occur, rather than reacting after delays happen. The control unit computes the interval considering the management device's processing speed, enabling continuous operation without sheet collision.
2Reliability
If the decoloring device waits for determination results from the management device, then accurate decoloring decisions are made, but sheet feeding is delayed causing operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet feeding interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit continuously adjusts the feeding interval based on reception time indication data received from the management device. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain reliable decoloring decisions while adapting to varying processing speeds, ensuring continuous operation without interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The management device provides reception time indication data as feedback to the decoloring device. This feedback mechanism allows the decoloring device to monitor and adjust sheet feeding timing based on actual processing performance, maintaining both decision accuracy and operational continuity through continuous optimization.
3Manufacturing precision
If sheets are held between scanning and decoloring units until determination results are received, then decoloring accuracy is ensured, but sheet collision occurs reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of sheet feeding interval based on reception time indication data. By adjusting this timing parameter dynamically, the system ensures sheets are fed at optimal intervals that prevent collision while maintaining accurate decoloring operations. This parameter adjustment resolves the conflict between holding sheets for accuracy and preventing collisions for reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, a decoloring device is generally includes a sheet conveying path (2), a sheet feeding unit (12), a scanning unit (13), a communication unit, a decoloring unit (14), and a control unit. The sheet conveying path conveys a sheet to each unit in the device. The sheet feeding unit (12) feeds a sheet on which an image is formed with a decolorable colorant to the sheet conveying path (2) from a sheet-stacking part. The scanning unit (13) is provided downstream of the sheet feeding unit on the sheet conveying path, and scans an image on a sheet. The communication unit transmits image data of a preceding sheet scanned by the scanning unit to a management device that communicates with the decoloring device, and receives conveyance destination indication data which is produced by the management device based on image data and indicates the conveyance destination of a preceding sheet, and reception time indication data which indicates time taken for the decoloring device to receive the conveyance destination indication data. The decoloring unit (14) is provided downstream of the scanning unit on the sheet conveying path and decolors an image of a sheet. The control unit controls a preceding sheet to be conveyed to a predetermined conveyance destination based on the conveyance destination indication data, and controls a following sheet to be fed to the sheet conveying path at a timing at which the leading end of the following sheet does not run into the tail end of a preceding sheet based on the reception time indication data even if the preceding sheet is held until the conveyance destination indication data is received.