Image Forming System Overlapping Sections Sheet Conveyance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed image forming systems face challenges in maintaining sheet conveyance stability and quality while increasing productivity, as higher conveyance speeds approach limitations, and increasing the number of overlapping sheets can degrade alignment and quality, especially with thick or smooth sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with multiple overlapping sections that control the number, order, and timing of sheet conveyance to the post-processing apparatus, distributing sheets into bundles to maintain stability and quality, and allowing for flexible configuration of overlapping sections to handle varying sheet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyance speed of the image forming apparatus is increased to improve productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the sheet interval becomes insufficient for post-processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sheet conveyance system into multiple overlapping sections (first overlapping section, second overlapping section, etc.) that operate independently. Each section accumulates a specific number of sheets and releases them in bundles, effectively segmenting the continuous sheet flow into manageable groups. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high conveyance speeds while ensuring adequate intervals between sheet bundles for post-processing operations.
2Loss of time
If the number of overlapping sheets is increased to extend the sheet interval, then the sheet interval is extended, but the stability and alignment of sheet conveyance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accumulating a large number of sheets in a single overlapping section, the patent divides the accumulation into multiple sections, each handling a smaller number of sheets. This segmentation maintains stability and alignment within each section while achieving the desired overall sheet interval through coordinated release of multiple sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the overlapping sections, where each section can independently adjust its sheet accumulation and release timing. The control apparatus coordinates the operation of multiple overlapping sections to dynamically maintain optimal sheet intervals while preserving conveyance stability and alignment for each individual section.
3Loss of time
If the number of overlapping sheets is increased to further ensure longer sheet interval, then the sheet interval is extended, but the quality of bookbinding degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sheet accumulation process into multiple overlapping sections, each releasing a controlled number of sheets. This segmentation ensures that no single section handles excessive sheet numbers that would compromise bookbinding quality, while the coordinated operation of multiple sections achieves the required sheet intervals for post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus dynamically coordinates the release timing and sheet numbers from each overlapping section to maintain optimal conditions for bookbinding quality. By dynamically adjusting the operation of each section based on post-processing requirements, the system extends sheet intervals without compromising manufacturing precision.
4Loss of time
If conveyance speed in the post-processing apparatus is made higher than in the image forming apparatus to ensure sufficient sheet interval, then the sheet interval is ensured, but the conveyance speed increase approaches limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces overlapping sections as intermediate buffer zones between the image forming apparatus and post-processing apparatus. These sections accumulate sheets and release them in controlled bundles, effectively decoupling the conveyance speeds of the two main apparatuses. This allows the post-processing apparatus to operate at optimal speeds without being constrained by the need for excessively high conveyance speeds to maintain sheet intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system including an image forming section to print images on sheets; a conveyance path through which the printed sheets are conveyed; a post-processing section which executes post-processing to form a booldet from a bundle of sheets conveyed through the conveyance path; a plurality of overlapping sections each of which is disposed between the image forming section and the post-processing section, makes the sheets temporarily wait, forms a bundle of sheets by overlapping a plurality of waiting sheets, and conveys to the post-processing apparatus; a control section which, with respect to a second or later booldet set in case of continuously forming booldet sets, controls a number of the sheets to be conveyed to the overlapping section, a conveying order of the sheets, and a timing to convey the sheets to a downstream side, based on a period of executing the post-processing.