Recording System Dynamic Sheet Stack Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing media processing apparatuses face issues in determining the optimal number of sheets to be stacked, as the maximum number is often uniformly set, leading to either unnecessary suppression or paper jams due to varying degrees of medium swelling and curling caused by liquid absorption during recording.

Innovation Solution

A controller determines the maximum number of sheets based on actual swelling information, including the amount of liquid ejected between the binding and stacking sections, to optimize sheet processing and prevent jams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the maximum number of sheets is uniformly determined in consideration of medium curl, then paper jams are prevented, but the number of media that can be processed is unnecessarily suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper jam preventionVSAvoidnumber of media processed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum sheet number determination dynamic rather than static. The controller dynamically adjusts the maximum number of sheets based on real-time detection of actual curl amounts, transitioning from a fixed uniform value to a variable value that adapts to actual medium conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing paper jams and maximizing processing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual curl amount of the medium and using this information to adjust the maximum sheet number. The detection unit measures the curl, and the controller uses this feedback to optimize the sheet number setting, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents paper jams while maximizing productivity based on actual medium behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the maximum number of sheets is uniformly determined with a large margin, then paper jams are prevented, but processing efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper jam preventionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the maximum sheet number parameter based on the detected curl amount. Instead of using a conservative fixed parameter with large margin, the system dynamically changes the parameter value according to actual medium conditions, reducing unnecessary time loss while maintaining reliable paper jam prevention through accurate real-time parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the maximum number of sheets is determined without considering actual swelling, then processing capacity is maximized, but paper jams occur due to excessive curl

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidpaper jam prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the curl amount before determining the maximum sheet number. The system performs preliminary detection of medium swelling characteristics and uses this information in advance to set an appropriate sheet number limit, preventing paper jams before they occur while maintaining optimal processing capacity through informed decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for dynamic adjustment of the sheet stack size, preventing unnecessary suppression and paper jams by considering the actual swelling and frictional forces, thereby improving processing efficiency and usability.

Implementation Method 1

When recording is performed by ejecting liquid onto the medium, the medium swells and curls by absorbing the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3800150B1Recording system
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3800150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3800150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A recording system (1) includes a recording portion (2) that performs recording on a medium (P), a stacking portion (71) that stacks the medium recorded by the recording portion, and a processing portion (70A) that processes a bundle of media stacked on the stacking portion, in which a controller (25) that controls feeding of the medium to the stacking portion determines a maximum number of sheets of media to be stacked on the stacking portion, based on information on swelling of the medium recorded by the recording portion.