Image Forming System Automatic Unjamming Control for Long Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face difficulties in restarting operations without imposing a significant burden on users when a sheet jam occurs during image formation on long sheets, as removing the jammed sheet requires complex tasks across multiple apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a sheet feeding apparatus, image forming apparatus, sheet ejection apparatus, unjamming execution section, and control section that automatically executes unjamming based on the sheet jam's position, including reversing conveyance directions and cutting the sheet to facilitate removal, reducing user burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image formation operation is stopped and the user manually removes the jammed long sheet, then the sheet jam is eliminated, but the user burden increases significantly and the operation restart time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the sheet jam condition, determining the jam position, executing unjamming operations (reverse conveyance or cutting), and resuming image formation without requiring user intervention. The control section coordinates all these actions autonomously based on sensor inputs and pre-programmed logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively detecting the sheet jam condition through sensors before it causes complete operational failure, then automatically initiating the unjamming sequence. This includes pre-determining the optimal unjamming method based on jam position and executing the appropriate action (reverse conveyance or cutting) before the user needs to intervene.
2Reliability
If the user manually removes the long sheet across multiple apparatuses, then the sheet jam is resolved, but the time required to restart operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously resolves sheet jams by detecting the condition, determining jam position, executing unjamming operations (reverse conveyance or cutting), and resuming image formation without requiring user intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the time users would otherwise spend manually removing sheets across multiple apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and automated unjamming actions before the operation can fully stop, minimizing downtime. By proactively identifying the jam condition and immediately executing the appropriate unjamming sequence, the system reduces the total time lost compared to manual intervention scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If automatic unjamming is implemented, then user burden is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unjamming execution section is segmented into distinct functional modules: jam detection sensors, control section for logic processing, reverse conveyance mechanism with controllable drive sources, and cutting mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and maintenance while enabling automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section serves multiple functions: it detects sheet jam conditions, determines jam positions, selects appropriate unjamming methods, coordinates reverse conveyance operations, controls cutting mechanisms, and manages operation resumption. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single intelligent control unit, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming system includes an unjamming execution section configured to execute unjamming for eliminating a sheet jam when the sheet jam is caused in the image forming system; and a control section configured to control the unjamming execution section to execute the unjamming in accordance with a position of the sheet jam or a portion of the long sheet causing the sheet jam, or both in the image forming system.