Printer Paper Conveyance Control for Jammed Sheet Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face difficulties in removing sheets after a paper jam occurs, as many sheets remain inside the machine, making the removal process burdensome for users, especially when the jam occurs at the circulation conveyer or paper feeder.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration with a printing conveyer, image former, paper discharger, circulation conveyer, switch, and controller that switches between paper discharge and circulation guiding directions to facilitate the removal of sheets after a jam by discharging sheets downstream of the jam position, reducing the number of remaining sheets and the space needed for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the paper conveyance stops due to a paper jam, then the sheets being conveyed remain inside the machine, but the work of removing the remaining sheets becomes difficult and burdensome for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by automatically discharging sheets downstream of the jam position before the user needs to remove remaining sheets. This preliminary discharge action reduces the number of sheets the user must manually remove, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable jam handling and ease of sheet removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically discharging sheets through the paper discharger without requiring user intervention. The controller autonomously controls the paper discharger to remove sheets from the conveying route, reducing the burden on the user while maintaining reliable jam handling.
2Productivity
If many sheets remain inside the machine after a paper jam, then the printing function can be restored, but the space required for removing remaining sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller extracts sheets from the conveying route by controlling the paper discharger to discharge sheets downstream of the jam position. This extraction action removes sheets from the internal space, reducing the area required for manual sheet removal while preserving printing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary discharge of sheets before the user needs to access the internal space for sheet removal. This preliminary action reduces the number of sheets occupying internal space, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and reducing the space required for sheet removal.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon occurrence of a paper jam at a circulation conveyer with a switching direction being set at a paper discharge guiding direction, a controller performs control of maintaining the switching direction at the paper discharge guiding direction and discharging sheets at a section of the circulation conveyer downstream of a position of the paper jam, the printing conveyer, and the paper discharger. Upon occurrence of the paper jam with the switching direction being set at a circulation guiding direction, the controller performs control of switching the switching direction to the paper discharge guiding direction after a sheet passing a switch exits the switch, and discharging the sheets at the section of the circulation conveyer downstream of the position of the paper jam, the printing conveyer, and the paper discharger.