Inkjet Apparatus Sheet Conveyance and Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face downtime issues during error recovery due to the need to discharge abnormal sheets and subsequent normal sheets to separate storage portions, especially in large commercial printing systems with long sheet discharge distances.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that manages sheet conveyance to stack abnormal sheets on one tray and subsequent normal sheets on another tray without passing through the inkjet head, allowing for simultaneous discharge and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the abnormal sheet and subsequent normal sheets are discharged to separate storage portions in sequence, then the inkjet head is protected from damage, but the downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sheet discharge function into two separate discharge destinations: a first discharge destination for abnormal sheets and a second discharge destination for subsequent normal sheets. This segmentation allows simultaneous discharge of both sheet types, reducing downtime while protecting the inkjet head by routing abnormal sheets away from the printing path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary detection of abnormal sheets using a detector positioned before the inkjet head. When an abnormal sheet is detected, the system proactively routes it to the first discharge destination before it can reach the inkjet head, preventing potential damage while allowing subsequent normal sheets to proceed to the second discharge destination without interruption.
2Reliability
If the inkjet head retracts immediately upon detecting an abnormal sheet, then the inkjet head is protected from contact, but error recovery cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discharge paths for abnormal and normal sheets into separate destinations. This allows the inkjet head to remain in position for subsequent normal sheets while abnormal sheets are routed to a different discharge destination, enabling error recovery without head retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a first discharge destination as an intermediary for abnormal sheets, positioned separately from the second discharge destination used for normal sheets. This intermediary discharge point allows abnormal sheets to be removed from the system without interfering with the inkjet head's operation on subsequent normal sheets, enabling continuous processing and error recovery.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the abnormal sheet is discharged to a distant storage portion, then the abnormal sheet is removed from the system, but the time required for discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dedicated first discharge destination for abnormal sheets that is spatially segmented from the second discharge destination for normal sheets. This segmentation enables parallel discharge operations where abnormal sheets can be routed to the first destination without blocking the path of subsequent normal sheets to the second destination, reducing overall discharge time despite the distance involved.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus controls a conveying portion such that a sheet detected by a detector passes through an ink head portion without forming an image and is discharged to a second stack tray, and control the conveying portion such that a subsequent sheet that is fed by a feeding portion and follows the sheet detected by the detector is discharged to a first stack tray without passing through the ink head portion, based on a detection result of the detector.