Image Forming Apparatus Guidance to Prevent Folder Conveyance Failures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance failures, such as creasing and jamming, can occur when forming images on document folders due to their shape, making it difficult for users to set the correct orientation and passage conditions during conveyance.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus includes a selector to choose a mode for document folders, displaying guidance on the placement of the leading edge and feeding location to prevent creasing, ensuring the folded portion is perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If document folders are conveyed in various orientations, then the apparatus can handle different document folder configurations, but conveyance failures such as creasing and jamming occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling different document folder orientationsVSAvoidconveyance success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the document folder's orientation and closed-side position before conveyance begins. Based on this detection, the conveyance path and conditions are pre-adjusted to prevent creasing and jamming, ensuring reliable handling of various document folder configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the conveyance path is fixed, then the apparatus structure is simple, but document folders with closed sides may be conveyed incorrectly causing creasing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance path configurationVSAvoiddocument folder orientation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance path is made dynamically adjustable based on the detected document folder orientation. The system can switch between different conveyance paths and adjust conveyance conditions in real-time, allowing a relatively simple apparatus structure to achieve high orientation accuracy for document folders with closed sides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250321523A1Image forming apparatus and information processing device
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 CANON KK
  • US20250321523A1 patent drawing
  • US20250321523A1 patent drawing
  • US20250321523A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a selector configured to select a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material including a first side which is closed, a second side which is closed, a third side which is open, and a fourth side which is open, a placement portion on which the first recording material is to be placed, an image former configured to form an image on the first recording material conveyed from the placement portion, and a display, wherein the display is configured to display, in a case where the first mode is selected by the selector, a message prompting a user to place the first recording material on the placement portion so that a leading edge side of the first recording material in a conveyance direction becomes the first side.