Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent printing surfaces during simplex and duplex printing, especially when handling fraction pages, leading to potential misalignment of front and back sides of printed papers.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a sheet feed section with multiple cassettes for different categories of sheets and a conveyance control section that reverses the sheet sides before conveyance, ensuring consistent orientation regardless of the printing method selected by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If duplex conveyance and simplex printing is used for fraction pages, then printing surface consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance method adjustable and context-dependent. The system dynamically selects between simplex conveyance and duplex conveyance based on the printing mode (simplex or duplex) and page type (full page or fraction page), rather than using a fixed conveyance method. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing printing surface consistency only when necessary while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conveyance parameter (simplex vs. duplex conveyance) based on different printing conditions. By modifying the conveyance mode according to the printing mode and page type, the system achieves printing surface consistency for fraction pages in duplex mode without permanently increasing device complexity. The parameter change is conditional and reversible, addressing the contradiction effectively.
2Device complexity
If simplex conveyance and simplex printing is used for fraction pages, then device complexity is reduced, but printing surface alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance method based on the specific printing scenario. When simplex printing is performed on fraction pages, the system uses simplex conveyance to maintain simplicity. However, when duplex printing is performed on fraction pages, the system switches to duplex conveyance to ensure printing surface alignment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by applying complexity only when necessary for alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance parameter is changed conditionally based on the printing mode and page type. For fraction pages in duplex printing mode, the system changes to duplex conveyance to maintain alignment. For other cases, it maintains simplex conveyance for simplicity. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction between device complexity and printing surface alignment.
3Manufacturing precision
If different conveyance methods are used for different printing modes, then printing surface consistency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically selecting the appropriate conveyance method based on the printing mode and page type without requiring user intervention. The control unit autonomously determines whether to use simplex or duplex conveyance, eliminating the need for users to manually configure conveyance settings. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining printing surface consistency through automated decision-making while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the printing mode selection and page type information to automatically adjust the conveyance method. The control unit receives information about the current printing scenario and automatically selects the appropriate conveyance mode to ensure printing surface consistency. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive without requiring user input, thus maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a sheet feed section and a conveyance control section. The sheet feed section is provided with a plurality of cassettes in which sheets of a plurality of categories are stored for each category of the sheets, and feeds a sheet stored in the cassettes. The conveyance control section enables, in a case in which a sheet is fed from a cassette in which sheets to be printed after the printing surfaces thereof are aligned are stored among the cassettes, a reversal unit reversing the front side and the back side of the sheet at the time when the sheet is fed to convey and discharge the sheet regardless of a printing method designated by a user.