Printer Tray Switching Logic for Even Consumable Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the frequent use of a specific paper feed tray leads to rapid deterioration of consumables and disrupts the ordered feeding of papers, especially when using trays with different paper sizes and types, as existing automatic paper selection and switching technologies prioritize certain trays, causing uneven usage and potential disordered output.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that allows setting paper size, type, and tray for each page, and implements automatic tray switching to continue feeding from a matching tray, even after refilling, preventing the re-use of the original tray and ensuring continuous, ordered paper feeding across multiple trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic paper selection and automatic tray switching are executed with a fixed tray priority order, then paper feeding can be automated, but specific paper feed trays will be concentratedly used causing rapid deterioration of consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tray priority order changeable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the tray priority order based on usage history, switching between different ordering methods (first ordering method for initial selection, second ordering method for subsequent selection after ATS). This dynamic adjustment prevents concentrated usage of specific trays and extends consumable life while maintaining automation.
2Productivity
If a paper feed tray is refilled after running out of paper during a job, then the tray can be reused, but the tray will be preferentially selected again causing concentrated usage and disrupting ordered paper feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control unit detect when automatic tray switching has been executed and when a tray has been refilled. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the tray selection by using the second ordering method that excludes the tray from which ATS was last executed. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous paper feeding while preventing disruption of ordered paper feeding from multiple trays.
3Productivity
If the system returns to the original paper feed tray after automatic tray switching, then paper feeding continues, but trays with different paper sizes and types cannot be properly managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tray selection process into distinct phases: initial tray selection using the first ordering method, and subsequent tray selection after ATS using the second ordering method. This segmentation allows the system to manage trays with different paper sizes and types effectively, maintaining productivity while adapting to various tray configurations and paper conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a printer section to form an image on a paper sheet; a plurality of paper feed trays; and a controller which controls the image forming apparatus to execute a job, wherein, the controller sets a paper size, a paper type, and a paper feed tray to be used for each page of the job, and wherein in cases where a first paper feed tray is refilled with the paper sheet, after the first paper feed tray runs out of the paper sheet in the course of executing a first job and is switched to a second paper feed tray by an automatic tray switching function, the controller continues to feed the paper sheet by using the second paper feed tray, even in cases where the first paper feed tray has been set as a paper feed tray for the each page of the first job.