Sheet Bundle Marking Control for Variable Sheet Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marking devices in printing and electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with marker placement accuracy due to variations in sheet width, leading to markers either falling off or being excessively long, which affects the efficiency and consumption of markers.
Innovation Solution
A marking device with a marker conveyor and memory system that adjusts the end timing of marker placement based on acquired sheet width data, ensuring precise positioning on the uppermost sheet of each bundle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed marker placement timing is used, then the marking device structure is simple, but marker placement accuracy deteriorates due to sheet width variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the marker placement timing adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the marker conveyance end timing based on detected sheet width, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet sizes and maintain accurate marker placement without requiring a completely redesigned structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of marker conveyance based on sheet width detection. By adjusting the end timing of marker placement according to the detected sheet width, the system achieves accurate marker placement for different sheet sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Loss of substance
If marker placement is not adjusted for sheet width, then the device operation is simple, but marker consumption increases due to excessive length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual sheet width and using this information to adjust the marker conveyance end timing. This closed-loop control ensures that markers are placed with optimal length for each sheet size, reducing waste while automating the adjustment process to maintain ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the marker placement timing parameter based on detected sheet width, optimizing marker length for each sheet size. This parameter adjustment reduces marker consumption while the automated detection and control process maintains ease of operation.
3Reliability
If marker placement timing is not optimized, then the system is easy to operate, but marker placement accuracy deteriorates causing markers to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the marker placement timing dynamic by adjusting it according to detected sheet width. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable marker placement that prevents markers from falling off, while the automated control maintains ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sheet width detection to automatically adjust marker placement timing, ensuring reliable marker placement without requiring manual intervention. This automated feedback loop maintains both reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A marking device includes a marker conveyor, a memory, and circuitry. The marker conveyor conveys a marker in a first direction from a start timing to an end timing and places the marker on an uppermost sheet of each sheet bundles each having a predetermined number of sheets conveyed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and stacked on a stacking table in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. Each of the sheets has a width in the first direction and a length in the second direction. The memory stores the width. The circuitry acquires the width from the memory and controls the marker conveyor to delay or advance the end timing according to the width acquired from the memory.