Image Processing Apparatus Sheet Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatuses face issues with the trailing end of sheets being caught by rotating bodies due to sheet properties and discharge tray design, leading to incomplete discharge and potential jams.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a housing, releasing member, first and second rotating bodies, a cover that moves between open and closed positions, and a control device to manage the rotation of the second rotating body based on the cover's position, ensuring the sheet is properly discharged without being caught by intermediate rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet is discharged to the paper discharge tray designed for direct discharging, then the sheet can be directly discharged from the image formation unit, but the trailing end portion of the sheet might be caught up by rotating bodies such as the intermediate discharge roller
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether the rear cover is in the open state before the sheet reaches the intermediate discharge roller. When the open state is detected, the control unit restricts the rotation of the intermediate discharge roller beforehand, preventing the trailing end portion from being caught up by the roller during direct discharging operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation state of the intermediate discharge roller is dynamically changed based on the cover position. The roller rotates normally when the cover is closed (for conveyance to discharge tray), and its rotation is restricted when the cover is open (for direct discharging), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to different operational modes
2Manufacturing precision
If the leading edge of the sheet hits a convex portion formed on the paper discharge tray, then the sheet can be directed to the correct discharge location, but it becomes difficult to get the trailing end portion of the sheet out of the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit restricts the rotation of the intermediate discharge roller in advance when the rear cover is detected to be in the open state, before the sheet's trailing end portion reaches the roller. This preliminary restriction prevents the trailing end from being caught up by the roller after the leading edge has already engaged with the convex portion on the discharge tray
3Productivity
If the intermediate discharge roller rotates continuously to convey sheets, then sheet conveyance is efficient, but the trailing end portion of the sheet may be caught up by the roller when direct discharging is performed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the state of the rear cover through detection means. When the cover is detected to be in the open state, the control unit provides feedback to restrict the rotation of the intermediate discharge roller, thereby preventing the harmful effect of the roller catching the trailing end portion of the sheet during direct discharging
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate discharge roller's rotation is dynamically controlled based on real-time detection of the cover state. The roller operates in two modes: normal rotation for conveyance when the cover is closed, and restricted rotation when the cover is open, allowing the system to adapt its conveyance behavior to prevent sheet catching
Data Source
AI summary
In an image processing apparatus, a control device controls a releasing member to release a release object onto a sheet to perform an image processing; controls a first rotating body to rotate to convey the sheet on which the releasing member has released the release object; controls a second rotating body to rotate to convey the sheet whose leading edge has passed through the first rotating body; determines whether a cover is in an open position or a close position relative to a housing of the image processing apparatus based on a signal outputted by a cover sensor; and restricts, when the cover is determined to be in the open position based on the signal, a rotation of the second rotating body while the first rotating body rotates.