Overlapped Sheet Reversal in Duplex Recording Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face a decrease in productivity due to the time-consuming conveyance of sheets through a reverse path during double-sided recording, especially when multiple sheets are conveyed in opposite directions.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a control unit that controls the conveyance of sheets to maintain an overlapping state, reversing the traveling direction of sheets in a reverse path to enhance productivity by optimizing the conveyance path and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet are conveyed in opposite directions in the reverse path, then double-sided recording can be performed continuously on multiple sheets, but it takes time to convey the sheets through the reverse path, leading to a decrease in productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conveyance paths of the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet in the reverse path. Instead of conveying them in opposite directions as separate streams, both sheets are conveyed in the same direction through the reverse path while maintaining their overlapping arrangement. This combining of conveyance flows reduces the overall conveyance time and improves productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial arrangement where sheets overlap in the conveyance direction and are positioned at different lateral positions. This creates a two-dimensional conveyance configuration where sheets can occupy the same path space simultaneously at different heights/positions, enabling continuous processing without increasing the physical path length.
2Productivity
If the leading edge of the second sheet overlaps the first sheet during conveyance, then the conveyance path length is not increased, but precise control of sheet positioning and timing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control mechanisms where sensors detect the positions of sheet leading edges and provide real-time information to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the conveyance speed and timing of individual sheets based on this feedback to maintain the desired overlapping arrangement, ensuring precise positioning without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control where the conveyance speed of different sheets can be independently adjusted during the process. This allows the system to adaptively maintain the overlapping configuration of sheets throughout the reverse path, accommodating variations in sheet processing times and ensuring continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a feed roller, a conveyance roller, a recording unit, a reverse path, and a control unit. The conveyance roller conveys a sheet fed by the feed roller. The recording unit performs recording on the conveyed sheet. The reverse path reverses, in the reverse path, a traveling direction of the sheet on which the recording is performed. The control unit performs control so that a leading edge of a second sheet overlaps a first sheet on which recording is being performed by the recording unit. Recording on the second sheet is to be performed by the recording unit following the recording on the first sheet. The control unit performs control to reverse the traveling direction of the first sheet and the traveling direction of the second sheet in the reverse path while maintaining an overlapping state of the first sheet and the second sheet.