Inkjet Recording Apparatus Face-Down Sheet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses discharge printed sheets with the image-recorded surface facing upward, requiring users to rearrange them to maintain the correct page order, which is time-consuming and memory-intensive, especially when print data is rearranged in reverse order.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with multiple recording modules and conveyance paths that allows for face-down discharge of printed sheets onto an output tray, utilizing conveyance paths and switchers controlled by a processor to manage sheet orientation and order, enabling efficient sorting and collation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If printed sheets are discharged with the image-recorded surface facing upward, then the discharge structure is simple, but the user must manually rearrange sheets to maintain correct page order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the discharge system into multiple independent discharge trays (first discharge tray and second discharge tray), each capable of receiving sheets in different orientations. This segmentation allows the system to discharge sheets face-down in correct page order to one tray while maintaining the ability to discharge face-up to another tray, thereby eliminating the need for manual rearrangement while preserving structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sheet flipping mechanism as an intermediary component between the recording unit and discharge trays. This mechanism automatically flips sheets to the correct orientation before discharge, serving as a mediator that transforms the simple face-up discharge into face-down discharge without requiring complex user intervention or fundamentally altering the discharge structure.
2Ease of operation
If print data is rearranged in reverse order to achieve correct page order discharge, then the discharged sheets are in correct order, but larger memory and longer printing time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-organizing print data in correct page order in memory before printing, and pre-configuring the conveyance paths and switching mechanisms to maintain this order throughout the printing process. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for time-consuming post-printing rearrangement or complex real-time data reordering, thereby reducing printing time while maintaining correct page order.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service system where the recording apparatus automatically manages sheet orientation and page order through its internal conveyance paths and switching mechanisms. The system serves itself by automatically directing sheets to the appropriate discharge trays in the correct order without requiring user intervention for data rearrangement, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with manual or software-based reordering operations.
3Ease of operation
If multiple conveyance paths and switchers are added to enable face-down discharge, then sheets are discharged in correct order without user rearrangement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyance system into multiple independent conveyance paths (first conveyance path and second conveyance path), each with its own switching mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to handle different sheet orientations and routing requirements independently, enabling face-down discharge in correct page order while keeping each segment relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching mechanisms that can flexibly direct sheets along different conveyance paths based on real-time requirements. These dynamic switchers allow the system to adaptively route sheets to maintain correct page order and orientation without requiring a permanently complex fixed structure, thereby achieving face-down discharge with manageable device complexity through flexible, controllable pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes: recording modules for conveying a recording medium along a first conveyance path and including a recording device; a storage tray storing a recording medium; at least one first output tray; a second conveyance path connecting between the storage tray and one end portion of each of the recording modules; a third conveyance path connecting between the second conveyance path and the other end portion of each of the recording modules; and at least one fourth conveyance path each connecting between the other end portion and a corresponding one of the at least one first output tray. One recording medium on which all of at least one image has been recorded by a recording device is discharged onto the at least one first output tray via the third conveyance path, the second conveyance path, the recording module, and the fourth conveyance path.