Power Saving Controller for Image Formers with Manual Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to handle conflicts between shifting an image forming apparatus to a power saving mode and the trigger of manual stapling without interrupting the stapling process, as existing solutions struggle to prevent power shutdown during stapling and can result in incomplete or damaged tasks due to erroneous detection of sheet presence.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a power saving controller that checks if the stapling process is ongoing before shifting to the power saving mode, instructing prohibition of stapling if not in progress and ensuring the process is completed before mode shift, thereby preventing interruptions and ensuring accurate detection of sheet presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the auto power shutoff function is implemented to shut off power supply when the apparatus remains unused for a predetermined period, then power consumption in standby state is suppressed, but the power supply may be shut off in the middle of stapling processing when shifting to power saving mode and manual stapling trigger occur simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sheet presence in the sheet insertion opening before initiating the power shutoff sequence. The detector checks whether a sheet is already inserted, and based on this advance detection, the controller prevents power shutoff during the predetermined period, ensuring stapling processing can complete without interruption while still enabling power saving when truly idle
2Reliability
If the prohibition device prohibits shifting to power saving mode when a sheet is detected in the sheet insertion opening, then stapling processing is protected from interruption, but shifting to power saving mode is not initiated even after manual stapling is completed if the sheet is not subsequently removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic re-detection of sheet presence during the predetermined period. The detector continuously or periodically checks whether the sheet is still present, and the controller monitors this detection result to determine when it is safe to initiate power shutoff. This periodic checking ensures that power saving mode can be transitioned to as soon as stapling is complete, preventing unnecessary delays
3Reliability
If the detector detects the sheet inserted in the sheet insertion opening, then the prohibition device prohibits shifting to power saving mode, but in the short period from initiation of shifting to power saving mode to shutoff of power supply, the sheet may be inserted after initiation but before shutoff, making it unreasonable to undo the shifting processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the detection and decision-making action before the power shutoff is actually executed. The detector checks for sheet presence, and the controller makes the prohibition decision in advance during the predetermined period before power shutoff. This preliminary action ensures that once the shutoff sequence is initiated, it completes without interruption, avoiding the complexity of undoing mid-sequence operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a predetermined period as an intermediary buffer between sheet detection and power shutoff execution. This time buffer allows the system to establish the prohibition status before the actual power shutoff occurs, creating a clear separation between detection/decision phases and execution phase, thereby simplifying control logic
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a post-processor including a sheet detection circuit detecting a sheet inserted in a sheet insertion opening for manual stapling, a staple mechanism executing stapling processing on the sheet, and a drive circuit actuating the staple mechanism; a post-processing controller operating the drive circuit in response to detection of the sheet; a power circuit supplying power to the drive circuit and another circuit in the apparatus; and a power saving controller shutting off a power supply from the power circuit to the drive circuit and the other circuit and shifting from a normal mode to a power saving mode when a shifting condition is satisfied. Prior to shifting, the power saving controller checks the post-processing controller whether the stapling processing is currently executed, and, when the stapling processing is not currently executed, instructs prohibition of the stapling processing and shifts to the power saving mode.