Sheet Property Detection Modes for High-Speed Image Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face a reduction in productivity when high detection accuracy is required to detect changes in sheet properties during a print job due to the need for reduced conveyance speed, especially when different types of sheets are mixed or replenished.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual detection mode: a first detection mode with high accuracy for the initial sheet to determine its type and set conditions, followed by a second mode with lower accuracy for subsequent sheets to maintain productivity by increasing conveyance speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high detection accuracy is used to detect sheet property changes, then detection precision is improved, but conveyance speed must be reduced which worsens productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into two distinct modes: a first detection mode with high detection accuracy for initial sheet detection, and a second detection mode with lower detection accuracy for subsequent sheets. This segmentation allows the system to achieve accurate detection of sheet property changes while maintaining higher conveyance speeds during the second detection mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically switches between two detection modes based on the detection sequence. The controller performs the first detection with high accuracy on the first detected sheet, then switches to the second detection mode with lower accuracy for subsequent sheets. This dynamic adjustment of detection accuracy levels allows the system to maintain productivity while ensuring accurate detection of sheet property changes
2Measurement precision
If conveyance speed is reduced to maintain detection accuracy, then detection precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into two modes with different accuracy requirements. The first detection mode uses high detection accuracy which requires reduced conveyance speed, while the second detection mode uses lower detection accuracy that allows higher conveyance speed. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between detection precision and conveyance speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection accuracy parameter between two modes. The controller switches from the first detection mode with high detection accuracy to the second detection mode with lower detection accuracy. This parameter change allows the system to maintain higher conveyance speeds while still detecting sheet property changes accurately
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyor that conveys a sheet along a conveyance path; a detector that is disposed on the conveyance path and detects a physical property of a sheet with first detection accuracy or second detection accuracy lower than the first detection accuracy; an image former that forms an image on a sheet under an image forming condition based on a result of detection performed by the detector with the first detection accuracy; and a determiner that determines that a physical property of a sheet has changed among a plurality of sheets that is conveyed along the conveyance path on the basis of a result of detection performed by the detector on the plurality of sheets that is conveyed with the second detection accuracy.