Image Forming Apparatus Circulatory Conveyance Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face reduced productivity when the conveyance speed of sheets is kept constant for image reading, as this limits the ability to change conveyance speeds for each sheet during image formation, affecting the stability and efficiency of the reading process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a circulatory conveyance path and a conveyance control unit that manages multiple conveyance modes, allowing the conveyance speed of sheets to vary while being read, enabling efficient image formation and reading by optimizing the range and speed of sheet conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveyance speed of sheets is kept constant to enable stable reading by the reading unit, then reading stability is improved, but productivity deteriorates because the conveyance speed cannot be optimized for each sheet during image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing multiple conveyance modes (first, second, and third conveyance modes) that allow the conveyance speed to be dynamically adjusted based on reading requirements. The control unit switches between these modes to maintain constant speed during reading while enabling speed variation during image formation, thus resolving the contradiction between reading stability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conveyance speed parameter according to different operational phases. During image formation, the conveyance speed can be optimized for each sheet, and during reading, the speed is maintained constant. This parameter adjustment strategy allows both high productivity during formation and stable reading to be achieved
2Productivity
If the conveyance speed is changed for each sheet to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but reading stability deteriorates because the reading unit requires constant conveyance speed for stable reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operational process into distinct phases: image formation phase and reading phase. During the formation phase, conveyance speed is optimized for each sheet to improve productivity. During the reading phase, the conveyance speed is maintained constant to ensure reading stability. This temporal segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyance speed based on the operational phase. The control unit monitors when reading is required and switches to a conveyance mode that maintains constant speed, while allowing speed variation during formation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between productivity improvement and reading stability
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image formation unit configured to form an image on a sheet at a formation position; a circulatory conveyance path for conveying the sheet with the image formed at the formation position on a first side thereof to the formation position again; a reading unit configured to read the first side of the sheet conveyed through the circulatory conveyance path and output image information; and a conveyance control unit configured to convey the sheet in one conveyance mode out of a plurality of conveyance modes when the reading unit reads the first side of the sheet. A range, in a conveyance direction, of the sheet that can be read by the reading unit while a conveyance speed of the sheet is constant is different for each of the plurality of conveyance modes.