Printer Sheet Discharge Control via Pull Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses require users to manually support and operate sheets during discharge, leading to user burden and potential sheet damage due to falls.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus equipped with a conveyance unit using rotating members to temporarily hold and detect sheet movement, allowing controlled discharge only when the user has pulled the sheet, thereby preventing falls and reducing user burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sheet is completely discharged automatically, then the discharge process is fast and simple, but the sheet may fall and the printed surface may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidsheet fall damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance unit temporarily stops the sheet at a predetermined position before complete discharge, positioning it in a safe state where the printed surface is protected. This preliminary positioning action prevents the harmful effect of sheet falling while maintaining efficient discharge operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sheet is held by nipping with rollers, then the sheet fall is prevented, but the user must manually support and operate the panel, increasing user burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet fall damageVSAvoiduser operation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit automatically detects whether the user has pulled the sheet, and the control unit automatically completes the discharge process based on this detection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation panel input, reducing user burden while preventing sheet fall through automatic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit provides feedback on sheet pulling status to the control unit, which then adjusts the conveyance unit accordingly. This feedback loop enables automatic discharge completion based on user action detection, reducing operational burden while maintaining sheet safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the conveyance is temporarily stopped to hold the sheet, then the sheet fall is prevented, but the discharge process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet fall damageVSAvoiddischarge process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance unit performs a temporary stop only for the minimal necessary duration and distance to position the sheet safely, rather than complete discharge or prolonged holding. This partial action prevents sheet fall while minimizing time loss in the discharge process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11667138B2Printing apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 CANON KK

AI summary

An apparatus includes a printing unit, a conveyance unit including first and second rotating members that nip and convey the sheet, and configured to hold the sheet by temporarily stopping the conveyance before completion of discharge of the sheet, a detection unit configured to detect a rotation of the first rotating member, a determination unit configured to determine whether the sheet has been pulled in a discharge direction based on a detection result of the detection unit in a case where the conveyance unit holds the sheet, and a control unit configured to, if the determination unit determines that the sheet has been pulled in the discharge direction, cause the conveyance unit to perform a discharging process of the sheet.