Sheet Conveyance Switching for Multi-Feed Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveyance systems fail to prevent jams when multi-feeding occurs and the switching of conveyance paths cannot be completed before the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the switching portion, leading to reduced productivity and potential damage to image forming components.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a multi-feeding detection system that controls switching portions to divert overlapping sheets to a discharge support portion, ensuring they are not conveyed further, and includes a control mechanism to switch paths based on detection timing to prevent jams and protect downstream components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switching portion is switched to divert multi-fed sheets to the discharging support portion, then jams are prevented and component integrity is protected, but the switching may not be completed in time if the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the switching portion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of multi-feeding at a detection portion located upstream of the switching portion. When multi-feeding is detected, the control portion activates the switching portion in advance to divert the multi-fed sheets to the discharging support portion before they reach critical areas, preventing jams and component damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a discharging support portion as an intermediary element between the conveyance path and the potential jamming area. This intermediate structure receives and holds multi-fed sheets that are diverted by the switching portion, preventing them from causing jams in downstream image forming components while maintaining system productivity.
2Reliability
If the conveyance is stopped when multi-feeding is detected, then image formation defects and jams are prevented, but productivity is reduced due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts or separates the multi-fed sheets from the normal conveyance path using the switching portion. Instead of stopping the entire conveyance system, the multi-fed sheets are diverted to the discharging support portion where they are held separately, allowing the main conveyance to continue operating and maintaining productivity while preventing image formation defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where multi-fed sheets are temporarily discarded from the main processing flow by diverting them to the discharging support portion. This allows the system to recover and continue processing subsequent sheets without interruption, preventing both jams and productivity loss.
3Reliability
If multi-fed sheets are discharged to the sheet discharging tray through the switching portion, then downstream jams are prevented, but it is not possible to discharge multi-fed sheets if they have already reached the switching portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the sheet handling system by introducing the discharging support portion as a separate spatial location. This creates an additional discharge path and location, allowing the system to handle multi-fed sheets that have already passed the switching portion by providing an alternative discharge point downstream, thereby enhancing the system's adaptability and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance portion, a discharging support portion, a switching portion, a support portion, a feeding portion, a taking-in port, a multi-feeding detection portion, and a control portion. When the multi-feeding is detected based on the control portion determining that switching of the switching portion has been completed before a leading edge of the first sheet reaches the switching portion, the control portion switches the switching portion to the second position and guides the first sheet and the second sheet to the discharging support portion. When the multi-feeding is detected based on the control portion determining that the switching of the switching portion has not been completed before the leading edge of the first sheet reaches the switching portion, the control portion does not switch the switching portion and guides the first sheet and the second sheet to the second conveyance path.