Image Forming Apparatus Cutting Waste Full Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses experience downtime and reduced productivity due to interruptions in image formation processing caused by cutting waste full load states, where the apparatus interrupts operations even after user intervention to clear the waste, leading to unavoidable downtime.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that detects the cutting waste full load state and adjusts image formation processing based on the order of sheets to be formed, allowing continuous processing for inner sheets but interrupting for cover sheets when the waste box is full, thereby minimizing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the image forming apparatus interrupts image formation processing when the cutting waste box is fully loaded, then the cutting waste overflow and dispersion can be prevented, but productivity decreases due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sheet bundle into different types (inner sheets and cover sheets) and applies different interruption control strategies to each type. Inner sheets continue processing without interruption even when the waste box is full, while cover sheets trigger interruption. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing continued productivity for non-critical sheets while maintaining safety for critical sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels of interruption control to different sheet types based on their local characteristics. Cover sheets receive high-priority interruption control to prevent waste overflow, while inner sheets receive low-priority continuous processing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying strict waste control only where necessary.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the image forming apparatus interrupts image formation processing in response to cutting waste full load state, then the cutting waste can be contained, but downtime is generated even after user intervention to clear the waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interruption control where the interruption decision changes based on the sheet type being processed. The control system dynamically adjusts between continuous processing for inner sheets and interruption-based processing for cover sheets. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating unnecessary downtime for inner sheets while maintaining containment for cover sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing image formation processing to continue uninterrupted for inner sheets even when the waste box is full. Only cover sheet processing is interrupted. This selective continuity resolves the contradiction by preserving productivity for non-critical operations while maintaining safety for critical operations.
3Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus notifies the user of cutting waste full load state, then the user can remove the waste, but the generation of downtime cannot be restrained even with immediate user response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial interruption action by interrupting only cover sheet processing while allowing inner sheet processing to continue. This partial action resolves the contradiction by applying waste control measures only to the extent necessary (cover sheets) while avoiding excessive interruption that would cause unnecessary downtime for inner sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system effectively allows inner sheet processing to serve itself continuously without requiring user intervention for waste removal, while cover sheet processing requires user service. This self-service approach for inner sheets resolves the contradiction by eliminating downtime for the majority of processing while maintaining control where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet. A case binding apparatus is configured to cut predetermined sides of a sheet bundle formed by binding a plurality of sheets to perform bookbinding. The case binding apparatus includes a cutting-waste box configured to collect cutting waste produced by the cutting and a cutting-waste full load detection sensor configured to detect a fully loaded state of the cutting-waste box with the cutting waste collected in the cutting-waste box. When the sheet onto which the image is to be formed is not a last sheet in the sheet bundle, the image forming apparatus does not interrupt image formation processing in response to the fully loaded state of the waste box detected by the detector when an order of the sheet in the sheet bundle is smaller than a predetermined order.