Image Forming System Conveyance Path Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming systems face challenges in accurately forming images on specific sides of originals due to shared conveyance paths, leading to incorrect image placement if the operator is not aware of the original's orientation.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a connecting conveyance path that branches from the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus, with reversing units and determination units to correctly align and convey the original based on read data, ensuring the intended side faces the image forming unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the image forming unit and reading unit share a conveyance path, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because images cannot be accurately formed on the intended side of the original
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the reading unit scan the original first to determine its front and back sides before the image forming unit processes it. This advance information allows the control unit to plan the conveyance path and reversing operations in advance, ensuring the image is formed on the correct side while maintaining the shared conveyance path structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic control through the control unit that can reversibly adjust the conveyance path based on the original's orientation. The conveying unit can dynamically reverse the original's direction and select different path routes (first path for front side, second path for back side) depending on real-time conditions, enabling accurate image placement despite the shared conveyance path constraint.
2Ease of operation
If the operator places the original without awareness of front and back sides, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because the image will not be formed on the intended side
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the front and back sides of the original through the reading unit's scanning capability. The control unit uses this self-acquired information to automatically adjust the conveyance path and reversing operations, eliminating the need for operator awareness or manual orientation adjustment while ensuring accurate image placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reading unit provides feedback information about the original's orientation and side identification to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust subsequent processing steps based on the detected original state, ensuring that images are formed on the intended side regardless of how the operator placed the original.
3Productivity
If a shared conveyance path is used for both recording material and original, then productivity improves by reducing conveyance time, but device complexity increases due to the need for reversing units and path management
Solution Approach 1:
The shared conveyance path serves multiple functions: it conveys both recording materials and originals, and can operate in different modes (first path for front side originals, second path for back side originals). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate conveyance systems while maintaining productivity, with the control unit coordinating the different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system segments the conveyance path into distinct routes (first path and second path) for different original orientations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path while sharing common infrastructure, reducing overall device complexity compared to having completely separate systems for different functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a connecting conveyance path that branches from a second main conveyance path of the image reading apparatus and joins a first sub conveyance path of the image forming apparatus, and is configured to convey an original from the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The system controls conveyance of the original so that a first side becomes a side that faces an image forming unit if the first side of the original is designated as the image formation side or so that a second side becomes the side that faces the image forming unit if the second side of the original is designated as the image formation side.