Multi-Sheet Buffer Module for Modular Printing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular printing systems face challenges in ensuring proper page order and timing of sheet output from different print engines, particularly due to the cost efficiency of printing single color pages separately, which can result in multi-color pages being printed out of order and early, especially in duplex and mixed printing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sheet buffer module with parallel sheet transport paths and buffer paths that divert and hold out-of-order sheets, using a controller to manage sheet flow and insertion back into the stream at the correct time, ensuring proper page order without increasing the system's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multi-color pages are printed in batches to minimize on-off and warm-up cycles, then cost efficiency is improved, but page ordering is deteriorated (pages printed out of order)
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer module preliminarily stores multi-color pages in advance before they are merged with single-color pages. This allows the multi-color printing engine to print batches of pages together for cost efficiency, while the buffer holds them temporarily until the correct merge time arrives, ensuring proper page ordering in the final output.
2Manufacturing precision
If a buffer module is added to reorder sheets, then page ordering is improved, but system complexity is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer module is designed to perform multiple functions: it buffers sheets from either the single-color or multi-color printing engine, reorders them as needed, and outputs them in the correct sequence. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple separate components into one universal buffer system, managing complexity while achieving proper page ordering.
3Productivity
If parallel printing architecture is used to improve productivity, then output speed is improved, but timing coordination is deteriorated (difficulty in ensuring proper page merging)
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer module acts as an intermediary between the parallel single-color and multi-color printing engines. It receives sheets from both engines, manages their timing and sequencing, and outputs them in the correct order. This intermediary function simplifies the timing coordination problem by centralizing the synchronization logic in one component rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple engines.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a sheet buffer module (100) and a printing system incorporating the buffer module. The buffer module has parallel first and second sheet transport paths (131,132) that extend in opposite directions across a frame. Sheet buffer paths (140) connect the first sheet transport path (131) to the second sheet transport path (132). In operation, a stream of sheets is fed by the first sheet transport path (131) from a multi-color printing module to a monochrome printing module. During this process, selected sheets are diverted from the stream into the sheet buffer paths (140) and held. After processing by the monochrome printing module, the stream is fed by the second sheet transport path (132) back to the multi-color printing module for further processing and/or final output. During this process, the sheet buffer paths (140) feed the buffered sheets into the second sheet transport path such that they are inserted at the proper locations back into the stream.