Image Position Adjustment for Multi-Tray Booklet Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses struggle to align images accurately on sheets from different feed trays due to differences in sheet characteristics such as thickness and moisture content, leading to positional deviations in created booklets.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system with a first adjuster to match image positions on both sides of sheets from each feed tray and a second adjuster to further align image positions between sheets from different feed trays, using reference images and image processing techniques like enlargement, reduction, and shift to correct positional deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If images are formed on both sides of sheets from different feed trays, then booklet creation with multiple sheet types is enabled, but positional deviation occurs between images on adjacent pages due to differences in sheet characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooklet creation with multiple sheet typesVSAvoidimage position alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of sheet characteristics (thickness, moisture content, expansion/contraction properties) before image formation. Based on these measurements, it pre-calculates and applies correction values to image positions for sheets from different feed trays, preventing positional deviation before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures actual sheet characteristics and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust image positioning corrections. By continuously monitoring sheet properties and adjusting positioning based on measured data, the system maintains accurate alignment despite variations in sheet materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If sheet characteristics such as thickness and moisture content differ among feed trays, then diverse booklet designs are possible, but image positions cannot be matched between sheets from different feed trays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediverse booklet designsVSAvoidimage position matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes positioning parameters based on measured sheet characteristics. By adjusting image position coordinates according to specific sheet properties (thickness, moisture content, expansion rate), it maintains accurate alignment across different sheet types while enabling diverse design options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If only one feed tray is used for sheet feeding, then image positions can be easily matched on both sides of sheets, but booklet creation with multiple sheet types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage position matchingVSAvoidbooklet creation with multiple sheet types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary positioning adjustment mechanism that mediates between different feed trays. By measuring sheet characteristics from each tray and applying intermediate correction values, it enables easy position matching equivalent to single-tray operation while maintaining the versatility of multi-tray booklet creation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10739716B2Image forming apparatus, image forming system and computer readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: an image former which forms one or more images on at least one sheet fed from each of a plurality of feed trays; a first adjuster which adjusts positions of the images formed on the sheet by the image former such that the positions of the images match on both sides of the sheet fed from each of the feed trays; and a second adjuster which further adjusts the positions of the images on the sheet, the positions having been adjusted by the first adjuster, such that the positions of the images match between the sheets fed from the feed trays.