Interleaving Sheet Feeding Control for Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face productivity losses due to increased distances between recording sheets and interleaving sheets caused by delayed sheet feeding, and potential jamming issues when interleaving sheets are fed without confirming the presence of preceding recording sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with detection units for recording sheet presence and quantity, allowing controlled interleaving sheet feeding based on the remaining amount of recording sheets, switching between sheet presence confirmation and non-confirmation feeding modes to prevent jams and enhance productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sheet presence confirmation feeding mode is used, then reliability is improved by confirming recording sheet presence before interleaving sheet feeding, but productivity deteriorates due to increased sheet feeding delay time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sheet presence confirmation requirement conditional rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the feeding control mode based on the detected remaining sheet amount: when sheets remain abundant, non-confirmation feeding is permitted for high productivity; when sheets are running low, confirmation feeding is enforced to prevent jams. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If sheet presence non-confirmation feeding mode is used, then productivity is improved by reducing sheet feeding delay time, but reliability deteriorates due to potential interleaving sheet jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using the remaining sheet amount as a control parameter to switch between feeding modes. The control unit monitors the remaining sheet amount and changes the feeding control parameter accordingly: allowing non-confirmation mode when sheets are plentiful, and switching to confirmation mode when sheets are scarce. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by adapting the feeding strategy to current material availability.
3Reliability
If interleaving sheet feeding is delayed to confirm recording sheet presence, then reliability is improved, but the distance between recording sheet and interleaving sheet increases causing productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by applying different feeding control strategies to different situations based on remaining sheet amount. Instead of uniformly applying confirmation feeding throughout operation, the system applies confirmation feeding locally only when sheets are running low (critical situation), while allowing non-confirmation feeding when sheets are abundant (non-critical situation). This localized application of quality control resolves the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit to store recording sheets, an image forming unit, an insertion unit, including an interleaving sheet tray on which an interleaving sheet is to be stacked, and to insert the interleaving sheet fed from the interleaving sheet tray between recording sheets conveyed from the image forming unit. The control unit selects between a first mode and a second mode to execute based on a detected remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit. The first mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet, which is to be inserted, from the interleaving sheet tray regardless of whether a presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected. The second mode is a mode for feeding the interleaving sheet from the interleaving sheet tray based on that presence of the recording sheet in the storage unit is detected.