Multifunction Apparatus Document Discharge Port Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
In document reading and printing multifunction apparatuses, the simultaneous operation of reading and printing functions often leads to jamming issues due to the collision between the leading end of the printing medium and the document, as the document's rear end blocks the path of the printing medium discharge, inhibiting the discharging operation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a control unit that manages the positional relationship between the document discharge port and the recording medium discharge port, ensuring they intersect, and performs a predetermined operation to cancel the stop state before the recording medium reaches the intersecting position, preventing collisions and jams by adjusting the document's discharge direction and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reading function and printing function are simultaneously performed with the document discharge port disposed upward of the printing discharge port, then the apparatus can perform multiple functions concurrently, but the leading end of the printing medium collides with the document and discharging operation is inhibited, causing transporting jam
Solution Approach 1:
The document discharge port is configured to be movable between a first position (upward of printing discharge port) and a second position (downward of printing discharge port). The system dynamically adjusts the document discharge port position based on operational state: during simultaneous reading and printing, it moves to the second position to prevent collision; during document holding, it moves to the first position to enable document discharge. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining simultaneous operation capability and preventing transporting jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit predicts whether a transporting jam will occur by analyzing the relationship between document discharge timing and printing medium discharge timing. When a potential jam is predicted, the system performs preliminary action by moving the document discharge port to the second position before the collision can occur, thereby preventing the transporting jam proactively rather than reactively.
2Ease of operation
If the document discharge port is disposed upward in the vertical direction of the printing discharge port to allow document discharge, then the document can be discharged properly, but the document blocks the path of the printing medium and causes transporting jam
Solution Approach 1:
The document discharge port transitions from a fixed upward position to a dynamically adjustable position. It moves to the second position (downward) when printing medium discharge is active to clear the path and prevent jams, and returns to the first position (upward) when document discharge is needed. This dynamic positioning enables both document discharge functionality and printing medium discharge reliability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The document discharge port performs periodic position switching between the first and second positions based on the operational cycle. During simultaneous reading and printing operations, it periodically moves to the second position to allow printing medium discharge, then returns to the first position for document discharge operations. This periodic action pattern ensures both functions can operate reliably without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction apparatus includes a reading mechanism including a document discharge port configured to discharge a document, a recording mechanism including a medium discharge port configured to discharge a recording medium, and a control unit, and a path through which a leading end of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge port passes and the document discharged from the document discharge port have such a positional relationship to intersect with each other at an intersecting position, and when the leading end of the recording medium is discharged from the medium discharge port in a stop state where the document discharged from the document discharge port blocks the path of the leading end of the recording medium discharged from the medium discharge port, the control unit performs a predetermined operation for canceling the stop state before causing the leading end of the recording medium to reach the intersecting position.