Duplex Architecture Independent Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internal duplex designs in imaging apparatuses are limited by their inability to accommodate a wide range of media due to tight paper path turn radii and motor control designs, resulting in reduced performance and media support, especially in duplex printing mode.
Innovation Solution
A split drive duplex architecture with independently controlled motors in the base engine, redrive, and duplexing sections allows for variable speed control and flexible paper path management, enabling higher speeds and media support from 16 to 90 pounds and sizes up to 33 inches, while maintaining robust timing and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an internal duplex design is used to keep the device size small, then the overall device size is reduced, but the ability to accommodate a wide range of media is limited due to tight paper path turn radii and motor control design
Solution Approach 1:
The paper path is divided into three independently controlled sections (base engine section, redrive section, duplexing section), each with its own motor. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently - the base section handles media feeding, the redrive section manages the turn radius with sufficient space, and the duplexing section handles duplex operations, thereby accommodating a wide range of media while maintaining a compact overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
Each motor in the three sections is independently controlled with variable speed capabilities. The system can dynamically adjust the speed and operation of each section based on media type, size, and whether simplex or duplex printing is required. This dynamic control enables the compact internal duplex design to adapt to various media requirements without sacrificing media accommodation range.
2Volume of moving object
If an internal duplex design with tight paper path is used, then the device size is reduced, but the printing performance in duplex mode drops significantly compared to simplex mode
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the paper path into three independently motorized sections, the system can optimize the duplexing section specifically for high-speed duplex operations. The redrive section can be optimized for rapid paper reversal, and the base engine section can maintain high feeding speeds. This segmented approach allows each section to contribute to overall duplex performance without compromising device compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The redrive section is positioned and designed to enable rapid paper reversal before the paper enters the duplexing section. By performing the reversal action in advance in a dedicated section with sufficient space, the system maintains high duplex printing speeds while keeping the overall device size compact through efficient spatial arrangement.
3Speed
If the paper path is designed for high speed operation, then printing speed is improved, but the ability to handle various media types with different requirements is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each of the three motors is equipped with variable speed control, allowing the system to dynamically adjust operating speeds based on media type, weight, and size. For heavy media (16-90 pounds), the motors can operate at lower speeds with higher torque, while for lighter media, they can operate at higher speeds. This dynamic adaptability enables high-speed printing for appropriate media while maintaining compatibility with a wide range of media types.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus including an image transfer device, a first motor, a redrive section and a duplexing section. The first motor is drivingly connected to the image transfer device. The reversible redrive section is downstream from the image transfer device, and the reversible redrive section includes a second motor. The duplexing section includes a third motor. The duplexing section is positioned to receive media from the redrive section. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are each independently controlled.