Sheet Jam Clearance via Dynamic Conveyance Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, users face difficulties in clearing sheet jams due to the position of jammed sheets, which can be either hard to reach or conveyed to positions where they are harder to remove, especially when the distance between jammed sheets is short, leading to potential entry into unintended conveyance paths.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveyance unit, first and second conveyance path opening members, a sheet leading edge position detecting unit, and a determination unit that decides whether to convey a stopped sheet towards a first or second portion of the conveyance path based on the detected leading edge position, allowing easy user access and preventing entry into unopened conveyance paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jammed sheet is forcedly conveyed by a predetermined amount when the lower door is opened, then the leading edge of the jammed sheet can be conveyed to a position from which the user can easily clear the jam, but the jammed sheet may enter the conveyance path of the upper door which is not opened, making it even more difficult to clear the jam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance destination flexible rather than fixed. The determination unit dynamically selects between the first conveyance path opening member (lower door) and the second conveyance path opening member (upper door) based on real-time detection of the jammed sheet's leading edge position. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to choose the most appropriate opening member for each specific jam situation, resolving the contradiction between ease of clearance and reliability of conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the sheet leading edge position detecting unit that continuously monitors the position of the jammed sheet's leading edge. This detection information is fed back to the determination unit, which then decides whether to open the lower door or upper door. The feedback mechanism ensures that the conveyance action is based on actual sheet position rather than predetermined assumptions, preventing the sheet from entering the wrong conveyance path while maintaining ease of clearance.
2Ease of operation
If the jammed sheet is conveyed when the distance to the preceding jammed sheet is short, then the jammed sheet may be conveyed to an accessible position, but the jammed sheet may hit against the preceding jammed sheet and cannot be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary decision-making layer (the determination unit) that mediates between the conveyance unit and the opening members. This intermediary evaluates the detection result from the position detecting unit and selects the appropriate conveyance strategy - either conveying toward the first opening member, second opening member, or not conveying at all. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall control logic by centralizing the decision process rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple conveyance paths.
3Ease of operation
If the lower door is opened to remove the jammed sheet, then the user can access the jammed sheet, but if the jammed sheet is forcedly conveyed it may enter the conveyance path of the upper door which is not opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance destination flexible rather than fixed. The determination unit dynamically selects between the first conveyance path opening member (lower door) and the second conveyance path opening member (upper door) based on real-time detection of the jammed sheet's leading edge position. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to choose the most appropriate opening member for each specific jam situation, resolving the contradiction between ease of clearance and reliability of conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the sheet leading edge position detecting unit that continuously monitors the position of the jammed sheet's leading edge. This detection information is fed back to the determination unit, which then decides whether to open the lower door or upper door. The feedback mechanism ensures that the conveyance action is based on actual sheet position rather than predetermined assumptions, preventing the sheet from entering the wrong conveyance path while maintaining ease of clearance.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, including: a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet on a conveyance path on which the sheet is conveyed; a first conveyance path opening member configured to open a first portion of the conveyance path; a second conveyance path opening member configured to open a second portion, which is located downstream the first portion, of the conveyance path; a sheet leading edge position detecting unit configured to detect a position of a leading edge of a stopped sheet on the conveyance path; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on a detection result of the sheet leading edge position detecting unit, one of not conveying the stopped sheet, causing the conveyance unit to convey the stopped sheet toward the first portion, and causing the conveyance unit to convey the stopped sheet toward the second portion.