Image Forming Apparatus Jam Recovery Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in jam processing, particularly when jams occur downstream of the sheet inspection device, leading to unnecessary sheet duplication inspections and user complications in determining whether to reset the inspection device for resuming printing.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that determines whether to resume printing based on user instruction and adjusts settings for the sheet inspection device, excluding sheet duplication inspection when jams occur downstream, thereby simplifying user intervention and improving processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If jam recovery processing is automatically started after removing the jammed sheet, then productivity is improved, but sheet duplication inspection errors occur when jams occur downstream of the inspection device
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inspection mode based on the jam location. When a jam occurs downstream of the inspection device, the system switches to a mode that excludes sheet duplication inspection, allowing automatic jam recovery processing to proceed without inspection errors. When the jam occurs upstream, the system maintains normal inspection mode. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the inspection behavior contingent on the jam position.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection parameters are changed based on the jam location. Specifically, the sheet duplication inspection parameter is adjusted: it is enabled when jams occur upstream of the inspection device and disabled when jams occur downstream. This parameter change allows the system to maintain inspection accuracy for upstream jams while enabling efficient automatic recovery for downstream jams.
2Reliability
If the system waits for user instruction before starting jam recovery processing, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to increased user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the level of user intervention required based on jam location. For downstream jams, the system automatically proceeds with recovery processing without user input. For upstream jams, the system maintains the conventional approach of waiting for user instruction. This dynamic decision-making process resolves the contradiction by optimizing the balance between automation and user control based on the specific jam scenario.
3Reliability
If sheet duplication inspection is always performed during jam recovery, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional inspection steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet duplication inspection step is extracted from the mandatory inspection sequence and made conditional. When jams occur downstream of the inspection device, the sheet duplication inspection is removed from the recovery processing flow. This extraction simplifies the inspection process for downstream jams while maintaining it for upstream jams, resolving the contradiction between maintaining inspection accuracy and reducing process complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that facilitates user's determination of necessity of setting an inspection resuming page and is improved in jam processing efficiency. A sheet having an image formed thereon by an image forming unit is conveyed along a sheet conveying path. A sheet inspection device inspects the image on a sheet being conveyed through sheet conveying path. When a jam occurs in the conveying path, image formation by the image forming unit is interrupted. When jammed sheets are removed, formation of images including those formed on the jammed sheets is resumed. When a leading one of the jammed sheets is on a downstream side of the sheet inspection device, the image formation is resumed from an image formed on the leading jammed sheet, based on a user instruction.