Image Forming Conveyance Paths for Longer-Sheet Duplex Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in forming images on both sides of longer-sized image-formable media due to challenges in conveying the media through switchback conveyer paths.
Innovation Solution
The printer includes a conveyer system with a common and reverse conveyer path, along with a controller that manages duplex operations, allowing for automatic or manual duplex printing on both sides of longer-sized sheets by adjusting the cutoff length and feeder tray usage based on allowable values and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image-formable medium is conveyed through the switchback conveyer path to form images on both sides, then duplex printing capability is achieved, but conveying longer-sized media through the switchback path becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic switching mechanism that can change the conveyer path configuration based on media length. The controller selectively switches between the switchback conveyer path (for standard duplex printing) and the common conveyer path (for longer-sized media), making the system adaptable to different media sizes rather than being fixed in one configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyer system is divided into separate functional paths: a switchback conveyer path for automatic duplex printing and a common conveyer path for handling longer media. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the conflict between duplex capability and long media handling
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switchback conveyer path is used for duplex printing, then images can be formed on both sides of the media, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common conveyer path serves multiple functions: it can convey media for simplex printing, for duplex printing when combined with the image forming unit, and for handling longer-sized media that cannot use the switchback path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate paths for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the switching between different conveyer paths based on media characteristics and printing requirements. This centralized control simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of decision-making rather than requiring complex autonomous coordination between multiple paths
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a first container, a second container, an image forming device, a medium conveyer, a command acquiring device, and a controller, is provided. When a length of the medium to be conveyed is equal to or smaller than a first predetermined length, the controller controls the medium conveyer to convey the medium from the first container and the image forming device to perform an image forming operation on one of a first side and a second side of the medium, and, after the medium is accommodated in the second container in an orientation with the other of the first side and the second side to be used as the image-formable side, control the medium conveyer to convey the medium from the second container and control the image forming device to perform the image forming operation to the medium conveyed from the second container.