Sheet Reversing Mechanism Acceleration Timing for Double-Side Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In double-side printing, the productivity of printers is hindered by inappropriate circulating transfer speeds in sheet reversing mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in transferring print sheets between the printing mechanism and the transfer mechanism, which prevents the full utilization of the printing mechanism's output capacity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a circulating transfer path and a sheet reversing mechanism that includes a switchback reverse path, where the transfer control unit calculates and implements a preparation time (T1) for acceleration based on the transfer speed (Vr) to ensure smooth forward-reverse control, preventing speed differences between transfer mechanisms and optimizing sheet transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sheet reversing mechanism uses a switchback path with repetitive deceleration and stopping, then the print sheet can be reversed, but the productivity is reduced due to delayed preparation time and speed differences between transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer control unit calculates the preparation time T1 in advance based on the transfer speed Vr and acceleration characteristics, then starts acceleration exactly when needed. This preliminary calculation ensures the sheet reversing mechanism is ready to transfer the print sheet at the optimal moment, preventing both delayed preparation and speed mismatches with other transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the acceleration timing based on the calculated preparation time T1, which is derived from the transfer speed Vr and acceleration characteristics. This dynamic timing control allows the sheet reversing mechanism to transition smoothly from stopped state to transfer speed, maintaining synchronization with the circulating transfer path without repetitive deceleration and stopping.
2Productivity
If the circulating transfer speed is increased to improve productivity, then more print sheets can be output per unit time, but speed differences between transfer mechanisms cause improper sheet transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer control unit uses feedback from the detected transfer speed Vr and calculated preparation time T1 to control the acceleration timing of the sheet reversing mechanism. This feedback loop ensures that the mechanism accelerates at the precise moment needed, maintaining speed synchronization with the circulating transfer path and preventing speed differences that would cause transfer problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameter (preparation time T1) based on the transfer speed Vr and acceleration characteristics. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the sheet reversing mechanism can operate at higher circulating transfer speeds while maintaining proper synchronization, thus improving productivity without sacrificing transfer reliability.
3Reliability
If the preparation time for acceleration is extended to ensure smooth transfer, then speed synchronization is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to longer idle time
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer control unit calculates the minimum necessary preparation time T1 in advance based on the transfer speed Vr and acceleration characteristics. This preliminary calculation ensures the mechanism starts acceleration at the optimal moment - not too early (which would waste time) and not too late (which would cause speed mismatch). This precise timing achieves both synchronization and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a sheet reversing mechanism is configured to take over and transfer, at a transfer speed Vr, a print sheet with an image already formed on one side being transferred at the transfer speed Vr from a first transfer mechanism, to stop the print sheet once, then to start transfer of the print sheet in an opposite direction, and to pass the print sheet to a second transfer mechanism at the transfer speed Vr. The first and second transfer mechanisms are located on upstream and downstream of a switchback reverse path for reversing print sheets respectively Upon lapse of a time T1 after detection of the print sheet by a print sheet detection unit, a transfer control unit drives the sheet reversing mechanism to start acceleration from a stopped state to the transfer speed Vr, the time T1 calculated based on the transfer speed Vr.