Sheet Media Cutter Layout for Power-On Discharge in Image Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming devices face issues where sheet-type media remains on the conveyance path when power is turned off, especially when the cutter is located downstream, leading to inefficiencies and potential media wastage.

Innovation Solution

The image forming device is designed with a cutter upstream of the conveyance rollers, and a controller that manages media conveyance and discharge post-power restoration, ensuring cut media is discharged before the next image forming process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutter is located downstream of the conveying rollers, then the sheet-type medium can be cut after image formation, but the cut medium may remain on the conveyance path when power is turned off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation efficiencyVSAvoidmedia remaining on conveyance path

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the cutter upstream of the conveying rollers instead of downstream. This inversion allows the medium to be cut before conveyance, and the controller can then discharge the cut medium in a controlled manner after power restoration, preventing it from remaining on the conveyance path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter performs the cutting action before the medium reaches the conveying rollers. By completing the cutting operation in advance and storing the cut medium in a controlled position, the system can manage discharge after power restoration without leaving medium on the conveyance path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If the cutter is located upstream of the conveying rollers, then cut medium can be discharged after power restoration, but the configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia discharge controlVSAvoidconveyance system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying rollers serve multiple functions: they convey the medium during normal operation and also discharge the cut medium after power restoration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate discharge mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its existing conveying mechanism to perform the discharge function after power restoration. The controller simply reuses the conveying rollers to move the cut medium from the cutter position to the discharge location, eliminating the need for additional dedicated discharge components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the medium is not discharged after power restoration, then the next image forming process can start immediately, but wasted media remains on the conveyance path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower restoration efficiencyVSAvoidcut medium waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs the medium discharge operation immediately after power restoration and before starting the next image forming process. This preliminary discharge action eliminates waste medium while the system is still in a controlled state, preparing the conveyance path for the next operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller quickly discharges the cut medium through the conveying mechanism in a rapid operation immediately after power restoration. This fast discharge minimizes the time the system spends in a transitional state and quickly clears the waste medium before the next image forming process begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS12535761B2Image forming device configured to cut sheet- type medium and form image on cut medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming device comprises a media container accommodating a sheet-type medium, an image forming engine, a media conveyor configured to convey the sheet-type medium along a conveyance path from the media container to the image forming engine. The media conveyor has a plurality of conveying rollers including a first conveying roller arranged on an upstream side of the image forming engine and a second conveying roller arranged on a downstream side of the image forming engine. The image forming device further comprises a cutter arranged on an upstream side along the conveyance path with respect to the second conveying roller, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the media conveyor in such a manner that the cut sheet-type medium is conveyed and discharged toward outside after a power is on and before first execution of the image forming process.