Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Size Discrepancy Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with paper jams and incorrect sheet sizes, leading to unnecessary sheet ejection and waste, especially when printing composite color images, as they often start processing before detecting sheet size discrepancies, resulting in unauthorized printing and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveyor and sensor system with control circuitry that allows for two operation modes: in the first mode, sheets with incorrect sizes are ejected without stopping conveyance and recovery printing is prohibited, while in the second mode, conveyance is stopped and recovery printing is allowed, enabling users to correct issues without wasting resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the image forming apparatus ejects the sheet without stopping conveyance when size discrepancy is detected, then processing speed is improved, but security deteriorates due to unauthorized recovery printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes its behavior based on the printing mode. In quick printing mode, sheets are ejected without stopping conveyance for speed. In normal printing mode, conveyance is stopped and recovery printing is prohibited for security. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and security.
2Reliability
If the image forming apparatus stops conveyance and allows recovery printing when size discrepancy is detected, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to sheet waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts its response based on the printing mode. In normal printing mode, it stops conveyance and prohibits recovery printing to prevent unauthorized printing. In quick printing mode, it allows recovery printing to maintain productivity. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between security and productivity.
3Productivity
If the image forming apparatus continues printing multiple sheets when size discrepancy is detected, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to sheet waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the sheet size detection to control the printing process. When a size discrepancy is detected, the system provides feedback to stop conveyance and prohibit further printing, preventing waste of subsequent sheets. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between productivity and sheet waste.
4Manufacturing precision
If the image forming apparatus stops conveyance for every size discrepancy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but speed deteriorates due to frequent stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its stopping behavior based on the printing mode. In normal printing mode, it stops conveyance to ensure sheet size accuracy. In quick printing mode, it continues conveyance to maintain speed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor, a sensor, and control circuitry. The conveyor is configured to convey a sheet. The sensor is configured to detect the sheet conveyed by the conveyor. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to eject the sheet without stopping conveyance of the sheet and prohibit recovery printing when a size of the sheet determined based on detection of the sheet by the sensor is different from a setting size in a first operation mode. The control circuitry is configured to cause the conveyor to stop conveyance of the sheet and allow recovery printing when the size of the sheet is different from the setting size in a second operation mode in which a number of times of printing is larger than a number of times of printing in the first operation mode.