Image Forming Apparatus Variable Print Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the RIP speed often fails to keep pace with print speed, leading to idle paper feeding and waste, especially when memory capacity is insufficient, resulting in decreased productivity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that determines a print image preparing time and adjusts the linear velocity of the printing unit to match the preparing time, allowing for efficient printing by comparing different paper sheet intervals and selecting the optimal velocity to minimize waste while maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the print speed is increased to improve productivity, then the print output speed increases, but the RIP speed cannot keep up, causing idle paper feeding and paper waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the paper feeding speed variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the paper feeding speed to match the RIP processing speed, ensuring that paper is fed at the optimal rate to prevent both idle feeding (waste) and printing delays (reduced productivity). This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt the feeding rate in real-time based on actual RIP performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit monitors the RIP processing speed and uses this information to adjust the paper feeding speed. The system continuously measures whether the RIP can keep up with the print speed and modifies the feeding rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents paper waste while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If the print is started immediately to improve productivity, then the output speed increases, but the RIP may not be complete, causing print errors or rework
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by starting the paper feeding process before the RIP is completely finished. The control unit initiates paper feeding based on the current RIP progress and estimated completion time, allowing the physical printing to begin in advance while the RIP continues in the background. This ensures that by the time the RIP completes, the paper is already in position or ready to receive the final image data, maintaining both speed and accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the RIP processing is prioritized to ensure complete image development, then the image quality improves, but the print speed decreases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating paper feeding before the RIP processing is complete. The control unit calculates the expected RIP completion time and starts feeding paper in advance, so that the paper is ready to receive the image data as soon as the RIP finishes. This overlapping of operations allows the system to maintain high print speeds while ensuring complete image development, as the physical printing and digital processing occur in parallel rather than sequentially.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a printing unit configured to print at a plurality of linear velocities; an image preparing time determination unit configured to determine a print image preparing time necessary for developing print data to a print image to be printed by the printing unit; a linear velocity determination unit configured to determine the linear velocity according to the print image preparing time determined by the image preparing time determination unit; and an engine control unit configured to operate the printing unit at the linear velocity determined by the linear velocity determination unit.