Image Forming Apparatus Discharge Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face difficulties in identifying when an abnormality occurs in image quality on normal image sheets, especially when a large number of sheets are produced, as it is challenging to determine the timing of the abnormality in both normal and sample image sheets.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an image forming section, a discharge section, and a control section that allows for the distinct discharge of normal and sample image sheets, enabling the timing of sample image sheet discharge to be distinguished within a stack of normal image sheets by varying discharge orientations, shifting, or using timing sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If normal image sheets are discharged in a stack without distinction, then discharge efficiency is improved, but the ability to identify timing of sample image sheet discharge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a distinguishable feature at the local position where the sample image sheet is discharged. The sample image sheet is discharged with a different orientation (e.g., rotated 90 degrees) compared to normal image sheets, creating a local visual distinction that allows identification of timing information while maintaining overall discharge efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by discharging the sample image sheet in a different orientation than the normal image sheets. Specifically, the sample image sheet is discharged rotated by 90 degrees relative to the normal image sheets, creating an asymmetric configuration that enables easy identification of when the sample image sheet was discharged among the stacked sheets.
2Loss of information
If sample image sheets are discharged separately from normal image sheets, then timing identification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the discharge paths of normal image sheets and sample image sheets into a single discharge destination. Both types of sheets are discharged to the same tray, but the sample image sheet is differentiated by its orientation. This merging approach maintains timing identification capability while avoiding the complexity of separate discharge mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If user constantly monitors discharge timing, then detection precision is improved, but user workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by designing the discharge mechanism to automatically provide timing information through the visual distinction of the sample image sheet orientation. The system itself presents the timing information in a visually accessible manner, eliminating the need for users to actively monitor or search through discharged sheets to identify when abnormalities occurred.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section which forms normal images on sheets sequentially based on normal image data and forms sample images on sheets based on sample image data; a discharge section which discharges normal image sheets in a stack which are sheets on which the normal images were formed and sample image sheets which are sheets on which the sample images were formed; and a control section which is configured to control at least one of the image forming section and the discharge section to discharge the normal image sheets in the stack and the sample image sheets to the discharge section so as to enable timings at which the sample image sheets were discharged to be appreciated in the stacked normal image sheets.