Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the long distance and time from starting image formation by each toner unit to transferring the toner image to a recording sheet result in wasted toner particles due to premature image formation and suspension of operations when sheet conveyance delays are detected, leading to inefficiencies in printing time and toner usage.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a sheet-feeding section, image forming section, sheet amount detector, and mode controller that adjusts the image formation and sheet conveyance timing based on the detected sheet quantity, allowing image forming operations to start before or after sheet conveyance depending on the sheet amount, thereby optimizing toner usage and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If image formation is started before sheet conveyance, then printing time is shortened, but toner particles are wasted when recording sheets run out
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the remaining sheet amount in advance and pre-adjusting the image formation timing accordingly. When sheets are abundant, image formation starts early to shorten printing time. When sheets are running low, the system suspends image formation until sheets are replenished, preventing toner waste while maintaining efficient printing operations.
2Loss of substance
If image formation is suspended when sheet conveyance delays, then toner particles are not wasted, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the sheet conveyance status and provides feedback to the control unit. When sheet conveyance delays are detected, the system receives feedback and suspends image formation to prevent toner waste. This feedback mechanism ensures that image formation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sheet availability, balancing toner conservation with printing efficiency.
3Device complexity
If sheet amount is not detected, then device complexity is reduced, but toner waste occurs when recording sheets run out
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the existing sheet feeding mechanism's own movement to trigger sheet amount detection. The pickup roller, which is already part of the sheet feeding system, serves dual purposes: feeding sheets and enabling sheet amount detection through its rotation angle measurement. This eliminates the need for separate complex detection devices while preventing toner waste.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a sheet-feeder for feeding a recording sheet from a sheet cassette. Image forming devices are provided for forming a toner image. An image bearer bears a toner image formed by the image forming devices; and a transferring device transfers the toner image on the image bearer to a recording sheet. A sheet amount detector detects the amount of recording sheets in the cassette. A mode controller allows the image forming devices to start their operations before the sheet feeding section conveys a recording sheet when the amount of recording sheets detected by the sheet amount detector exceeds a predetermined reference amount, and allows the image forming devices to start their operations after the sheet-feeding section conveys the recording sheet when the amount of recording sheets detected by the sheet amount detector is smaller than the reference amount.