Image Forming System Stacking Tray Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming systems face difficulties in efficiently stacking non-finished and finished recording mediums together when they are intermingled in a single group, leading to issues with simultaneous retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a controlling section that allows non-finished and finished recording mediums to be stacked at the same position on a stacking tray, enabling easy handling and separation when a mixture mode is set, utilizing a finisher with a matching shift section and ejecting mechanism to align recording mediums correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-finished and finished recording mediums are intermingled in a single group, then processing efficiency is improved, but the matching positions of non-finished and finished mediums differ, making it difficult to retrieve all ejected recording mediums together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording mediums into two distinct stacking positions on the stacking tray: a first recording-medium stacking position for non-finished mediums and a second recording-medium stacking position for finished mediums. This segmentation allows both types of mediums to be stacked separately despite being processed together, enabling easy retrieval while maintaining processing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If recording mediums are stacked at different positions to separate finished and non-finished, then retrieval is easier, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic control mechanism where the matching shift section adjusts the stacking position based on the finish processing status of each recording medium. The controlling section dynamically determines whether to use the first or second stacking position, and the matching shift section dynamically positions the mediums accordingly. This dynamic approach manages complexity through automated decision-making rather than static complex structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If a matching shift section is introduced to adjust stacking positions, then precise positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The matching shift section is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it adjusts the stacking position of recording mediums, determines whether to use the first or second stacking position based on finish processing status, and coordinates with the controlling section to manage both finished and non-finished mediums. This universal design achieves precise positioning while minimizing the addition of separate complex components.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an image forming system, which comprises an image forming apparatus to produce a printing material as one group of recording mediums or plural printing materials as plural groups of recording mediums from a single document set, and a finisher to apply a finish processing to said recording mediums, wherein the image forming system includes a controlling section to control so that, if a mixture mode is set, a non-finished recording medium and a finished recording medium within the single group are stacked at a same recording-medium stacking position on a stacking tray.