Sheet Conveyance Control Method for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the conventional method of conveying recording sheets and insertion sheets at the same speed leads to inefficient switching of conveying speeds, resulting in prolonged time requirements and potential lowering of sheet conveyance efficiency, especially when dealing with varying numbers of insertion sheets.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance control method that determines the number of initial insertion sheets and sets conveying speeds for the insertion and takeover conveying portions based on print job information, allowing these to operate at either the same speed as the print conveying speed or a preset reference speed, while the body conveying portion maintains its corresponding print conveying speed, irrespective of the number of insertion sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insertion conveying portion and takeover conveying portion operate at the same speed as the print conveying speed, then the conveying speed switching frequency is reduced, but the overall conveyance efficiency deteriorates when the number of initial insertion sheets is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveying speed of the insertion conveying portion and takeover conveying portion adjustable based on the number of initial insertion sheets. When the number of initial insertion sheets is large, these portions operate at a higher reference conveying speed rather than the print conveying speed, allowing dynamic adaptation to different sheet quantities and improving overall conveyance efficiency without excessive speed switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conveying speed parameter based on the number of initial insertion sheets. The control device determines this number from print job information and sets the insertion conveying speed and takeover conveying speed accordingly - using reference conveying speed when initial sheets are numerous, and print conveying speed when few initial sheets are present. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between reducing speed switching frequency and maintaining conveyance efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveying speed is switched frequently to match different sheet types, then the conveyance precision is improved, but the time required for speed switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the number of initial insertion sheets from print job information before conveyance begins. The control device pre-calculates the optimal conveying speeds for the insertion conveying portion and takeover conveying portion based on this predetermined information, allowing the system to prepare appropriate speed settings in advance and reduce actual speed switching time during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor causes, when the number of initial insertion sheets is one or more, an insertion conveying portion and a takeover conveying portion to operate at either one of a conveying speed that is the same as a print conveying speed corresponding to a first recording sheet and a reference conveying speed according to a magnitude relationship between the number of initial insertion sheets and an initial sheet count in conveyance of the initial insertion sheets. In addition, the processor causes a body conveying portion and the takeover conveying portion to operate at the corresponding print conveying speed in conveyance of the recording sheet irrespective of the number of initial insertion sheets.