Image Forming System Sheet Insertion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently managing and outputting sheet bundles that include multiple types of sheets exceeding the number of available sheet supply cassettes and trays, leading to operational troubles.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system with a conveyance processing portion, setting processing portion, and operation control portion that allows for user-defined insertion timing, sheet supply source, and sheet type settings during the conveyance process, enabling seamless integration of additional sheets into a stack without halting the conveyance process and optimizing post-processing operations based on sheet types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional image forming apparatuses use standard sheet supply cassettes and trays, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but they cannot handle sheet bundles with multiple types of sheets exceeding the number of available supply sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity to handle multiple sheet typesVSAvoidcomplexity of sheet management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sheet supply system by introducing separate insertion sheets that can be independently managed from the main sheet bundle. Each insertion sheet is treated as an independent unit with its own supply source and timing control, allowing the system to handle more sheet types than physical cassettes without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-setting insertion timings and sheet supply sources before the actual sheet insertion. The control unit determines in advance which sheet should be inserted at which timing, and the setting unit configures these parameters beforehand, enabling complex multi-sheet operations without real-time decision complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyance process is interrupted to insert additional sheets, then sheet type flexibility is improved, but productivity and operation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in sheet type selectionVSAvoidconveyance process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit determines insertion timings in advance during the conveyance process without actually interrupting it. The system pre-calculates when each insertion sheet should be inserted based on the predetermined timing information, allowing flexible sheet type selection while maintaining continuous conveyance operation and maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance process continues without interruption while insertion sheets are seamlessly integrated into the sheet bundle at predetermined timings. The system maintains continuous useful action by coordinating the insertion operations with the ongoing conveyance, ensuring that sheet bundle formation and sheet transport occur simultaneously without stopping the main process flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If user operations are required to set insertion timing and sheet supply source for each sheet, then sheet type control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of sheet type controlVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining insertion timings and sheet supply sources based on pre-set conditions. The control unit autonomously manages the complex coordination of multiple sheet types and timings without requiring detailed user input for each individual sheet, maintaining precise control while significantly simplifying user operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter changes by allowing users to set high-level conditions (such as sheet bundle composition requirements) rather than individual sheet parameters. The control unit then translates these broad parameters into specific insertion timings and supply source assignments, achieving precise sheet type control with minimal user intervention and simplified operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11518643B2Image forming system that outputs sheet bundle, method for controlling operation of image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming system includes a conveyance processing portion, a setting processing portion, an insertion processing portion, and an operation control portion. The conveyance processing portion executes a conveyance process to convey a plurality of sheets placed on a sheet placing portion, sequentially to a sheet stack portion. When the insertion timing to insert the insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, the insertion processing portion executes an insertion process to convey a sheet from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the sheet stack portion. The operation control portion is configured to control operations of an image forming apparatus during execution of a sheet bundle output process based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process that is included in the sheet bundle output process, the sheet bundle output process including the conveyance process and the insertion process.