Reverse Roller Sheet Conveyance Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving target printing speed due to misprints caused by off-timing reversal of sheet conveyance direction, particularly when the actual sheet length differs from the expected nominal length.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a reverse roller system with a clutch and controller to adjust the reverse timing based on the actual sheet length, ensuring precise synchronization of sheet conveyance and image formation to maintain target printing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the reversing timing is adjusted based on nominal sheet length, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misprints when actual sheet length differs from nominal length
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the actual sheet length using sensors and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts the reversing timing accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the reversing operation is synchronized with the actual sheet position, preventing misprints while maintaining adaptability to sheet length variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing timing is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust based on the detected actual sheet length. The controller dynamically calculates the optimal reversing moment by considering the difference between nominal and actual sheet lengths, ensuring precise synchronization regardless of sheet variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the reversing timing is adjusted based on actual sheet length, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sheet length detection sensors to provide real-time feedback to the controller, enabling automatic adjustment of reversing timing. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual calibration and reduces operational complexity despite adding sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting sheet length variations and correcting the reversing timing without external intervention. The controller autonomously calculates and applies the necessary timing adjustments, reducing the need for operator skill and training.
3Ease of operation
If the sheet conveyance direction is reversed at fixed timing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to missed printing opportunities when timing is off
Solution Approach 1:
The reversing timing transitions from a fixed schedule to a dynamic adjustment based on actual sheet length detection. The controller dynamically modifies the reversing moment to ensure optimal synchronization, preventing misprints and maintaining continuous printing operations at target speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of sheet length before the reversing operation, allowing it to pre-calculate and prepare the optimal reversing timing. This preliminary action ensures that the reversing operation is executed at the precise moment, maintaining printing speed without requiring post-correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A reverse roller pulls in a sheet from a first conveying path to a second conveying path by conveying the sheet in a first direction and deliver the sheet from the second conveying path to a third conveying path by reversing the conveyance direction of the sheet from the first direction to a second direction. A clutch transmits drive power of a motor to the reverse roller and controls a rotation direction of the reverse roller. A controller controls a reverse timing of the reverse roller according to an actual length of a sheet. A guidance member guides the sheet where an image is formed on a first surface from a first conveying path to a second conveying path and guides the sheet guided to the second conveying path to a third conveying path. The clutch further controls the guidance member.