Dynamic Sheet Interval Control for Single and Double-Sided Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in completing double-sided and single-sided printing tasks sequentially, as they require large sheet intervals to avoid collisions, leading to prolonged printing times.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance apparatus and control method that dynamically adjust the interval between sheets on the conveyance path based on the printing type, allowing for shorter intervals during single-sided printing and maintaining efficiency by controlling the supply unit to optimize sheet conveyance during both double-sided and single-sided printing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large interval between sheets is set to avoid collision during double-sided printing, then collision between sheets is prevented, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sheet interval variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the interval between sheets based on whether the current sheet is undergoing single-sided or double-sided printing. During single-sided printing, a shorter interval is used, while during double-sided printing, a longer interval is applied to prevent collision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing the interval parameter according to the specific printing mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sheet interval based on the printing mode. The control unit modifies the conveyance control parameters to set different intervals: a first (shorter) interval for single-sided printing and a second (longer) interval for double-sided printing. This parameter change allows the system to prevent collision during double-sided printing while reducing unnecessary time loss during single-sided printing.
2Productivity
If a short interval between sheets is used during single-sided printing, then printing speed increases, but collision may occur with re-conveyed sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sheet interval based on the printing mode. During single-sided printing, the control unit sets a shorter interval to increase printing speed, while during double-sided printing, it extends the interval to prevent collision with re-conveyed sheets. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize productivity when safe and maintain reliability when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback about the printing mode (single-sided or double-sided) to adjust the sheet interval. By monitoring which printing operation is currently being performed, the system automatically selects the appropriate interval setting, ensuring that productivity is maximized during single-sided printing while collision prevention is activated during double-sided printing.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance apparatus performs single-sided printing, and double-sided printing, using a re-conveyance unit. If a first print medium is a print medium to be used for single-sided printing and a re-conveyed print medium is located within a predetermined distance from a region where the first print medium is located, an interval between the region where the first print medium is located and a region where a second print medium is located is controlled to be a first interval. If the first print medium is a print medium to be used for single-sided printing and a re-conveyed print medium is not located within the predetermined distance from the region where the first print medium is located, the interval between the region where the first print medium is located and the region where the second print medium is located is controlled to be a second interval shorter than the first interval.