Dynamic Interleaf Feeding Mode Switching for Page Order Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face productivity declines due to inefficiencies in interleaf feeding modes, where either the sheet-presence confirmed mode reduces productivity or the not confirmed mode risks incorrect page orders from unconfirmed recording sheets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a paper-remaining auto cassette change mechanism that automatically switches to another sheet feeding unit before the current one runs out, thereby preventing productivity declines and ensuring accurate page orders by dynamically changing the interleaf feeding mode based on remaining sheet amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode is used, then page order accuracy is ensured, but productivity decreases due to feeding preparation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the interleaf feeding control mode changeable from fixed to dynamic. The control mode automatically switches between sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode and not confirmed sheet-feeding mode based on the remaining sheet amount in the sheet feeding unit. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between reliability and productivity according to real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of control mode based on the remaining sheet amount. When the remaining sheet amount is sufficient, the system switches to not confirmed sheet-feeding mode to improve productivity. When the remaining sheet amount is low, it switches to sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode to ensure page order accuracy, preventing interleaves from being jammed inside.
2Productivity
If not confirmed sheet-feeding mode is used, then productivity is improved, but page order accuracy deteriorates due to risk of incorrect page orders
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the feeding mode based on remaining sheet amount. The control mode is not fixed but changes automatically according to the sheet supply status, allowing the system to switch between speed optimization and accuracy assurance as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by monitoring the remaining sheet amount in advance and switching to sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode before the sheet supply becomes critical. This preventive switching avoids the risk of incorrect page orders while maintaining high productivity during periods of sufficient sheet supply.
3Productivity
If sheet feeding unit runs out of sheets, then productivity decreases due to waiting time, but auto cassette change can prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by switching to sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode in advance when the remaining sheet amount becomes low. This prepares the system for potential sheet exhaustion by ensuring that interleaves will not be fed without confirming the presence of recording sheets, thereby preventing jams and maintaining continuous operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus configured to change an interleaf control mode from a not confirmed sheet-feeding mode to a sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode when a remaining amount of recording sheets is less than a first threshold, wherein the image forming apparatus has a first mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of absence of a recording sheet in a storage unit by a sheet presence/absence detection unit during execution of an image forming job, and a second mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of a recording-sheet remaining amount of the storage unit less than a second threshold during execution of an image forming job, and wherein the second threshold is larger than the first threshold for changing an interleaf control mode.