Paper Feed Timing Control for Jam Reduction in Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in increasing printing throughput while minimizing paper jams due to size discrepancies between actual and designated paper sizes, as they cannot start feeding the second sheet before detecting the length of the first sheet.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus controls paper feed operations to start feeding subsequent sheets based on a preset paper size, allowing for concurrent detection of paper size and timing adjustments for conveyance malfunction decisions, thereby reducing paper jams and enhancing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the paper feed section feeds a plurality of sheets at intervals based on a preset paper size, then throughput is improved, but paper jams occur due to size discrepancies between actual and designated paper sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The control section decides in advance whether to feed the next sheet before the paper length detection is completed. By making the decision about next sheet feeding based on current detection status and feed interval timing, the system enables overlapping operations where the second sheet can be fed while the first sheet's length detection is still in progress, thus improving throughput without causing paper jams
Solution Approach 2:
The control section continuously monitors the detection progress of paper length and adjusts the timing of next sheet feeding decisions accordingly. By using feedback from the detection status and feed interval timing, the system dynamically determines whether to start feeding the next sheet, ensuring that throughput is maximized while preventing paper jam errors
2Reliability
If the detection of paper length is completed before feeding the next sheet, then paper jam errors are reduced, but throughput decreases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The control section makes the decision about whether to feed the next sheet in advance, before the paper length detection is fully completed. This preliminary decision is based on the current detection status and calculated feed interval timing, allowing the system to overlap the detection process of the current sheet with the feeding action of the next sheet, thus achieving concurrent operations that improve throughput while maintaining reliability
3Productivity
If the paper feed of the next sheet is started before completing detection of the current sheet, then throughput is improved, but timing errors for conveyance malfunction detection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control section uses feedback from the detection status and feed interval timing to dynamically adjust the decision timing for feeding the next sheet. By continuously monitoring whether detection is complete and calculating appropriate feed intervals, the system determines the optimal moment to start feeding the next sheet, ensuring that throughput is improved while conveyance malfunction detection timing remains accurate
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of next sheet feeding decisions based on the real-time status of paper length detection. Rather than using fixed timing, the control section adapts its decisions according to detection progress and feed interval requirements, allowing flexible coordination between detection and feeding operations to maintain both throughput and measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
Preventing a paper jam as much as possible when actual paper size differs from designated paper size with increasing throughput by starting conveyance of a second sheet before detecting the length of a first sheet. Unless a register sensor has detected the rear edge (step S303), start of feeding the next sheet is checked (step S304). If started, a prescribed value 1 is applied (step S305). If not started, a prescribed value 2 is applied (step S306). Unless the rear edge is detected before a timer measures “estimated time+prescribed value” (step S307), a paper jam decision is made (step S308). If the rear edge is detected before the timer measures the “estimated time+prescribed value” (step S303), the processing is completed without making a paper jam decision. Making the prescribed value 1 less than the prescribed value 2 enables reducing the paper jam caused by incorrect setting.