Sheet Conveyance Interval Control for Image Forming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face productivity losses due to complex control of sheet conveyance intervals during post-processing, which can lead to decreased efficiency and increased software bugs when handling multiple sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a controller that calculates and adjusts the target interval time between sheets based on sheet and post-processing data, allowing for optimized discharge intervals and minimizing productivity loss by designating specific interval start and end sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sheets are stacked preliminary in the preliminary stacking channel, then productivity loss is minimized by conveying multiple sheets at a time, but the control of discharge intervals becomes complicated, increasing development time and software bugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from variable discharge intervals (which required complex control logic) to a fixed discharge interval equal to the post-processing time. This parameter change simplifies the control system while maintaining productivity, as the discharge interval no longer needs to be dynamically adjusted based on the number of preliminary stacked sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting the discharge interval to match the post-processing time (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by setting the discharge interval equal to the post-processing time and allowing the number of preliminary stacked sheets to vary naturally. This inversion simplifies the control logic while achieving the same productivity goal.
2Device complexity
If the discharge intervals are increased to simplify control, then control complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the number of preliminary stacked sheets to self-adjust based on the fixed discharge interval and post-processing time. The control system no longer needs to actively manage discharge intervals, reducing complexity while maintaining optimal productivity through natural system behavior.
3Productivity
If variable control of discharge intervals is implemented according to the number of preliminary stacked sheets, then productivity is optimized, but the number of software bugs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from variable discharge intervals (which required complex control logic) to a fixed discharge interval equal to the post-processing time. This parameter change simplifies the control system while maintaining productivity, as the discharge interval no longer needs to be dynamically adjusted based on the number of preliminary stacked sheets.
Data Source
AI summary
An n image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus including a post-processing unit to perform post-processing of sheets on a processing tray and a retaining channel disposed to accommodate at least a single sheet while the post-processing unit processes the sheets, and a controller that calculates a target interval time between an interval start sheet and an interval end sheet among the sheets output from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus based on at least one of sheet data and post-processing data transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus, and adjusts an interval between discharge of the interval start sheet and the interval end sheet from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus in accordance with the target interval time.