Printing Apparatus Overlap Conveyance for Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses require confirmation of the marginal amounts of the trailing edge of a preceding sheet and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet before starting to feed the succeeding sheet, leading to delays in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a feeding roller, conveyance roller, printing unit, and determination unit that allows the trailing edge of a preceding sheet and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet to overlap, enabling the conveyance of the succeeding sheet to the printing position without confirming the marginal amounts, using a conveyance control unit and a determination unit to manage the overlap state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the marginal amounts of the trailing edge of a preceding sheet and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet are confirmed before feeding, then the sheet alignment precision is improved, but the time required to start feeding the succeeding sheet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching the succeeding sheet to a position where its leading edge overlaps with the trailing edge of the preceding sheet before the preceding sheet is completely processed. This preliminary positioning allows the feeding process to start without waiting for marginal amount confirmation, thus reducing the time to start feeding while maintaining alignment precision through controlled overlap conveyance.
2Productivity
If the succeeding sheet is fed immediately without confirming marginal amounts, then the productivity is improved, but the sheet alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveyance process by implementing an overlap state where the succeeding sheet is conveyed to overlap with the preceding sheet's trailing edge. The determination unit dynamically decides whether to maintain this overlap state based on real-time conditions, allowing immediate feeding for high productivity while preserving alignment precision when needed through controlled dynamic adjustment of the sheet positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlap state between the succeeding sheet and preceding sheet acts as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly feeding the succeeding sheet without confirmation (which would compromise alignment), the system uses the overlapping region as a buffer zone that allows immediate feeding initiation while maintaining control over final alignment precision through the determination unit's oversight.
3Reliability
If the marginal amounts are confirmed before feeding, then the reliability of sheet positioning is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conveyance of the succeeding sheet to an overlap position before the preceding sheet is completely processed. This preliminary action establishes a reliable positioning baseline that reduces the need for complex real-time marginal amount confirmation systems, thereby maintaining sheet positioning reliability while reducing control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlap state serves as an intermediary control mechanism that simplifies the overall control system. Instead of requiring complex real-time measurement and adjustment systems to ensure precise marginal alignment, the system uses the predetermined overlap position as a reliable intermediate state that guarantees proper positioning with simpler control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet stacked on a stacking unit, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet fed by the feeding roller, a printing unit configured to print the printing sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that the trailing edge of a preceding sheet as a printing sheet precedingly fed from the stacking unit and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet as a printing sheet succeedingly fed from the stacking unit overlap each other, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.