Dynamic Registration Roller Speed Control for Thick Paper Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming systems face issues with sheet jamming due to mismatched conveying speeds between registration rollers and intermediate convey rollers when handling thick paper, and there is a need for improved control methods and units to manage different types of recording materials during image forming and delivery processes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a first and second conveying unit, a detector for material type identification, and controllers to adjust conveying speeds based on detected material types, ensuring synchronized speeds between internal and external sheet feeding and delivery units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveying speed of registration rollers is set equal to the conveying speed of intermediate convey rollers for plain paper, then the sheet conveying operation is simple and efficient, but sheet jamming occurs when handling thick paper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment of the registration rollers based on the detected sheet type. The conveying speed is automatically changed from a first speed (for plain paper) to a second speed (for thick paper) through controller intervention, allowing the system to adapt to different material properties and prevent jamming while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conveying speed parameter of the registration rollers according to the sheet type detected by the detector. When thick paper is detected, the controller adjusts the speed parameter to a lower value, preventing the sheet jamming that occurs with the higher speed used for plain paper
2Reliability
If the conveying speed of registration rollers is set lower than the conveying speed of intermediate convey rollers for thick paper, then sheet jamming is prevented, but the conveying operation becomes more complex with speed switching required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the sheet type and autonomously adjusting the registration roller speed without user intervention. The detector and controller work together to identify the material type and implement the appropriate speed setting, eliminating the need for manual speed switching while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detector continuously monitors sheet type and provides information to the controller, which then adjusts the registration roller speed accordingly. This closed-loop control system automatically maintains the appropriate speed for the current sheet type, reducing operational complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If an external sheet feeding apparatus is attached to the main body sheet feeding unit, then sheet feeding capacity is increased, but speed synchronization between internal and external units becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the registration rollers universal by enabling them to handle both internal and external sheet feeding operations. The same registration rollers that normally receive sheets from the main body sheet feeding unit are configured to also receive sheets from the external sheet feeding apparatus, allowing a single speed adjustment mechanism to serve multiple functions and maintain synchronization across both feeding sources
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus. The system includes: a first conveying unit conveying to the image forming apparatus a recording material; a second conveying unit conveying to an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus the recording material; a detector detecting a recording material type while the second conveying unit halts conveying the recording material; a first controller, based on detection by the detector, determining a speed for conveying the recording material to the image forming unit, and conveying the recording material at the conveying speed; and a second controller controlling recording material conveying speeds of the first conveying unit. Before the recording material reaches the second conveying unit, the second controller maintains a first conveying speed, and after the recording material reaches the second convey unit, maintains a second conveying speed determined by the first control unit.