Overlapping Sheet Conveyance in Image Recording Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses that perform overlapping conveyance of sheet-shaped recording media often result in a complex mechanism and enlarged apparatus size due to the need for intricate configurations to achieve overlapping conveyance.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a feeder roller, recording medium detection unit, and controller that allows for overlapping conveyance by detecting the rear end of a first recording medium and controlling the feeder roller to position the front end of a second recording medium to overlap the rear end of the first medium, using a conveying path with a reversing section to guide the media while maintaining a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a lever and detection sensor configuration is used to press down the rear end portion of a preceding recording medium, then overlapping conveyance can be achieved, but the mechanism becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the overlapping function from complex mechanical mechanisms (levers, sensors) and achieves it through software control of the feeder roller's feeding amount. The detection sensor only detects the presence/absence of recording media, while the controller calculates and controls the feeding amount to achieve overlapping, thereby simplifying the mechanical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical lever-based pressing mechanism with a control system that adjusts the feeder roller's feeding amount. Instead of using mechanical force to position media, the system uses controlled feeding distance to achieve the same overlapping effect, reducing mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If a complex overlapping conveyance mechanism is implemented, then overlapping can be achieved, but the conveying path becomes large and the apparatus is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the detection sensor above the support surface rather than along the horizontal conveying path. This allows detection to occur without extending the horizontal conveying path length, maintaining a compact apparatus layout while achieving overlapping conveyance.
3Measurement precision
If the detection sensor is positioned on the upstream side of the lever, then the rear end portion can be detected, but the conveying path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection sensor is positioned in the vertical dimension above the support surface rather than extending the horizontal conveying path. This allows the sensor to detect the rear end portion of recording media without increasing the horizontal conveying path length, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and apparatus size.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus including: a recording unit; an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein a plurality of recording media including first and second recording medium and having a support surface on which the plurality of the recording media is supported; a conveying path; a feeder roller contacting the recording medium in the accommodation part from above; a reversing path; a recording medium detection unit located above the support surface and between the feeder roller and a downstream end of the support surface in the conveying direction; and a controller configured to control the feeder roller so as to feed the second recording medium in a manner that a front end portion of the second recording medium overlaps a rear end portion of the first recording medium, when the recording medium detection unit detects the rear end portion of the first recording medium fed by the feeder roller.