Printing Apparatus Overlap Conveyance Printhead Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses risk paper jams and contamination due to the leading edge of a succeeding sheet being brought into contact with the printhead before the succeeding sheet is fully aligned, especially when sheets overlap during conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a feeding roller, conveyance roller, printing unit, conveyance control unit, acquisition unit, and determination unit that controls the conveyance of sheets to ensure the trailing edge of a preceding sheet overlaps with the leading edge of a succeeding sheet, allowing precise alignment and preventing premature contact with the printhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the feeding means separates and feeds sheets one by one with overlapping arrangement, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to high probability of paper jam or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means detects the leading edge position of the succeeding sheet before the printing operation starts. The control means uses this advance detection to determine the precise moment to start printing, ensuring the succeeding sheet is fully aligned and its leading edge is at a safe position before contact with the printhead. This preliminary detection and determination action prevents paper jam and contamination while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If the leading edge of the succeeding sheet is brought into contact with the printhead early to maintain overlap, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means continuously monitors the leading edge position of the succeeding sheet and provides feedback to the control means. The control means uses this real-time feedback information to dynamically determine the optimal printing start time, ensuring the succeeding sheet is properly aligned and its leading edge is at a safe distance from the printhead. This feedback mechanism prevents contamination while maintaining efficient printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus comprises a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet, a printing unit configured to print on the printing sheet, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, before completion of a printing operation of the preceding sheet, information of a leading edge position of the succeeding sheet, 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 in accordance with the leading edge position of the succeeding sheet.