Printing Apparatus Sheet Length Detection and Adaptive Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation apparatuses face variations in sheet size due to dimensional tolerance, leading to size variations in cut sheets during processing.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus equipped with a holder, conveying unit, printing unit, detecting unit, processing unit, and controller that calculates the length of printing media and sets a processing position to minimize length variations during conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cutting position is determined based on the standard regular size of sheets, then the processing can be simplified and standardized, but a variation in size arises between the cut sheets due to dimensional tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of each sheet's actual length before cutting. The detecting unit measures the length of each sheet in the conveyance direction, and the controller uses this detected information to calculate and determine the optimal cutting position for each individual sheet, ensuring consistent cut sizes despite dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting position is made dynamic rather than fixed. Instead of using a predetermined position based on standard dimensions, the system adjusts the cutting position for each sheet based on its actual detected length, allowing the processing position to vary adaptively to compensate for dimensional tolerances.
2Device complexity
If a fixed cutting position based on standard size is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the length variation of cut sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback by detecting the actual length of each sheet and using this information to adjust the cutting position. The detecting unit provides feedback on sheet dimensions, and the controller modifies the cutting position accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains precision without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated detection and control system. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to physically adjust cutting positions, the patent uses sensors to detect sheet lengths and electronic control to calculate and position the cutting blade, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a holder which holds printing media, a conveying unit which conveys each of the printing media picked up from the holder, along a conveyance direction, a printing unit which prints an image on the printing media, a first detecting unit which detects a front end and a rear end in the conveyance direction of each of the printing media conveyed by the conveying unit, a processing unit which processes each of the printing media, by moving a processing member with the processing member contacting each of the printing media, and a controller configured to: calculate lengths of the printing media by using detected results by the first detecting unit; and based on the lengths of the printing media, set a processing position in the conveyance direction at which the processing unit processes each of the printing media.