Roll Paper Rewinding Control for Accurate Print Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses often perform unnecessary reverse rotation conveyance during printing stops, leading to wasteful operations and inadequate starting positions for subsequent printing due to fixed and unsuitable rewinding distances.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a control method that dynamically adjusts the rewinding distance based on printing conditions, including the type of printing, presence of splice tapes, and print speed, to accurately resume printing from the trailing edge of the previous job, minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse rotation conveyance is always performed after printing stop, then the roll paper is rewound to a predetermined position, but wasteful operations are performed and the next printing cannot be started from the suitable position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rewinding operation conditional rather than fixed. The control unit determines whether rewinding is necessary based on the current position of the roll paper and the requirements of the next printing job. This dynamic decision-making process eliminates unnecessary rewinding operations while ensuring accurate positioning when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning reliability and printing productivity
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed reverse rotation conveyance is performed, then the rewinding distance is predetermined, but the next printing cannot be started from the suitable position due to varying printing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed rewinding distance into a dynamic, adjustable parameter. The control unit calculates the appropriate rewinding distance based on varying printing conditions such as print speed, paper size, and job requirements. This allows the system to adapt to different printing scenarios while maintaining straightforward control logic, resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of rewinding distance from a fixed value to a variable that is adjusted according to printing conditions. The control unit modifies the rewinding distance parameter based on factors such as print speed, paper dimensions, and job specifications, enabling the system to adapt to various printing requirements while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple
3Reliability
If reverse rotation conveyance is performed, then the roll paper is rewound, but wasteful operations occur and waste paper is generated due to inadequate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic positioning control to determine whether rewinding is actually needed before performing the operation. By assessing the current roll paper position and the start position required for the next job, the system avoids unnecessary rewinding that would generate waste paper. This dynamic approach maintains positioning accuracy while eliminating wasteful operations and reducing paper loss
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus (100), a control method of the image forming apparatus (100), and a recording medium that can suppress occurrence of a wasteful operation and perform a rewinding operation of an optimal amount. To this end, after stop of printing by the image forming apparatus (100), a print status at print start is obtained, and a rewinding distance of a roll paper (111) is set based on the obtained print status. Then, a paper conveyance unit performs rewinding conveyance (reverse rotation conveyance) based on the set rewinding distance.