Sheet Conveying Device Speed Synchronization for Gloss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet conveying systems face issues with uneven gloss due to speed differences between image forming devices and post-processing devices, leading to sheet stretching and complications in control mechanisms, especially when the post-processing device has a higher conveying speed.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a controller that synchronizes the conveying speeds of its rollers with the image forming device's ejection speed initially and then matches the post-processing device's feeding speed, using a flexible conveying path to prevent uneven gloss and simplify control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the post-processing device operates at a higher conveying speed than the image forming device, then the productivity of the post-processing device is improved, but the sheet is stretched and the image surface is rubbed causing uneven gloss
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet conveying device is introduced as an intermediary between the image forming device and the post-processing device. This intermediary device includes a feed-in roller, conveying roller, and ejection roller that can independently control sheet conveying speeds, acting as a buffer to reconcile the speed difference between the two main devices
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet conveying device dynamically adjusts its conveying speed in two phases: initially matching the image forming device's ejection speed to prevent stretching, then accelerating to match the post-processing device's higher feeding speed after the sheet has been fully ejected, thus resolving the speed conflict while maintaining surface quality
2Ease of operation
If speed control mechanism is added to the image forming device or post-processing device to handle acceleration and deceleration, then the speed mismatch problem is solved, but the device complexity and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveying function is segmented into a separate, dedicated sheet conveying device with its own independent control system. This separates the speed control complexity from the main image forming and post-processing devices, allowing each to operate at their optimal speeds without requiring complex integrated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet conveying device serves as an intermediary that absorbs the speed control complexity, taking on the burden of acceleration and deceleration control while allowing the image forming device and post-processing device to operate independently at their respective optimal speeds
3Ease of operation
If a conveying path with sufficient length is provided on each post-processing device for acceleration and deceleration control, then the speed control is achieved, but the conveying paths and control mechanisms become wasteful when multiple post-processing devices are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet conveying device is designed as a universal intermediary that can connect to any image forming device and any post-processing device. Its speed control capability serves all connected devices, eliminating the need for each post-processing device to have its own dedicated acceleration/deceleration conveying path, thus reducing waste while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The speed control function for multiple post-processing devices is merged into a single sheet conveying device. This shared control mechanism serves all connected devices, reducing the total amount of conveying path and control infrastructure needed compared to having separate control mechanisms at each device
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device connected between image forming device and post-processing device of which sheet conveying speed is higher than that of image forming device. The sheet conveying device includes: feed-in roller for feeding in a sheet ejected from image forming device; conveying roller for conveying the sheet; ejection roller for ejecting the sheet to post-processing device; conveying path from feed-in roller to ejection roller; and controller for controlling sheet conveying speeds of the rollers, wherein the controller performs control such that: when sheet conveying device feeds in the sheet ejected from image forming device, the conveying speeds of the rollers are the same as conveying speed at which image forming device ejects the sheet; and when image forming device has completed ejection of a trailing edge of the sheet, the conveying speeds of the rollers are the same as conveying speed at which post-processing device feeds in the sheet.