Decoloring Device Malfunction Isolation and Sheet Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In decoloring devices, when the decoloring section operates normally but the determination section malfunctions, the entire device is deemed non-operational, preventing the use of the functioning decoloring section, and additional hardware is required for handling large sheet loads.

Innovation Solution

The decoloring device incorporates a first and second sheet carrying path, a flapper for route control, a malfunction determination section, and a function management section to isolate and execute only the operational components, allowing continuous operation even if one section malfunctions, and includes modular units for enhanced sheet handling capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the determination section malfunctions, then the device cannot determine whether decoloring is applied properly, but the entire device is deemed non-operational and the functioning decoloring section cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation continuityVSAvoidusage when section malfunctions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into independent functional sections (decoloring section and determination section) that can operate separately. The decoloring section can function independently without requiring the determination section to be operational, allowing continuous operation even when one section malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The determination function is extracted as a separate, optional component. When the determination section malfunctions, the system can operate in a simplified mode using only the decoloring section, removing the dependency on the malfunctioning component while maintaining core functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If additional hardware is added to handle large sheet loads, then the device can process more sheets, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet handling capacityVSAvoidhardware structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet carrying paths are designed to be dynamically configurable through the flapper mechanism, allowing the system to adapt sheet routing based on load requirements without adding permanent complex hardware. The paths can be reconfigured through control rather than physical reassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The existing sheet carrying paths and flapper mechanism serve multiple functions: normal operation, malfunction accommodation, and large sheet load handling. The same structural elements perform different roles depending on operational conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated separate hardware for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8985581B2Decoloring device and function management method

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

When the presence or absence of a malfunction is respectively determined in a decoloring section or a separation device, and it is determined that either the decoloring section or the separation device is malfunctioning, only the other is executable.