FU Tray State Control for Stiff Paper Jam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses do not allow designation of a sheet output section, leading to inefficiencies in sheet output and potential paper jams, especially with stiff papers like thick paper and envelopes, due to the lack of control over the open/closed state of the face-up (FU) tray, which affects the sheet conveying path and output orientation.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method that communicates with an image forming apparatus to determine the type of sheet and the state of the FU tray, prompting the user to switch the tray's state if necessary, to ensure proper sheet output orientation and reduce paper jams by recommending the FU tray for stiff papers to avoid curling and jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the FU tray is kept closed to serve as a guiding portion, then sheet conveying to the FD tray is ensured, but sheets cannot be output to the FU tray and may curl or jam
Solution Approach 1:
The FU tray is designed to be dynamically switchable between closed and open states. The control unit automatically adjusts the tray state based on the type of sheet being printed, enabling the tray to adapt its function: closed state for guiding sheets to FD tray, open state for receiving and stacking sheets at the FU tray, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable conveying and flexible output
2Ease of operation
If the FU tray is opened to serve as a sheet output section, then sheets can be stacked face-up, but the guiding function to the FD tray is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the FU tray position based on real-time printing requirements. When face-up output is needed, the tray opens to receive sheets; when face-down output is needed, the tray closes to guide sheets to the FD tray. This dynamic adaptation ensures both output flexibility and conveying reliability are maintained at different times
3Manufacturing precision
If stiff papers like thick paper and envelopes are printed, then high-quality output is achieved, but paper curling and jams occur due to improper tray state
Solution Approach 1:
Before printing stiff papers, the control unit preliminarily checks the FU tray state and opens it in advance if needed. This preliminary action prevents paper curling and jams by ensuring the tray is in the correct position before the printing process begins, thereby maintaining both image quality and output reliability
4Device complexity
If the image forming apparatus does not allow designation of sheet output section, then device complexity is reduced, but user control and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines the appropriate sheet output section and adjusts the FU tray state without requiring user designation. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting the FD tray or FU tray based on sheet type and printing requirements, thereby maintaining device simplicity while improving output efficiency through automated decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.