Stapler Power Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with shared power sources face challenges in controlling stapling operations in arbitrary timing without overlapping with image forming operations, leading to potential productivity losses and staple jamming due to insufficient current or excessive power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control unit that sets a time period to prohibit stapler operation, ensuring total power consumption does not exceed the available power source capacity, allowing partial parallel operation of the stapler and image forming unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stapler operates in arbitrary timing, then productivity is improved, but power supply control becomes complex and may cause overlap with image forming operation
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output capacity based on real-time power consumption status. The control unit continuously monitors the power consumption of the image forming apparatus and dynamically controls the power supply to the stapler, enabling arbitrary timing operation while preventing power overload and avoiding complex scheduling controls.
2Device complexity
If a dedicated power source is provided for the stapler, then power supply control is simplified, but apparatus cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the image forming apparatus and the stapler. By implementing a control unit that can dynamically allocate power between these two functions, the system eliminates the need for a separate dedicated power source, reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining simple power supply control.
3Reliability
If power consumption limit is set to prevent overlap, then power source overload is prevented, but stapling operation may be prohibited causing productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output capacity based on real-time power consumption status. The control unit continuously monitors the power consumption of the image forming apparatus and dynamically controls the power supply to the stapler, enabling arbitrary timing operation while preventing power overload and avoiding complex scheduling controls.
4Reliability
If current limiting circuit is used, then overcurrent damage is prevented, but power consumption flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output capacity based on real-time power consumption status. The control unit continuously monitors the power consumption of the image forming apparatus and dynamically controls the power supply to the stapler, enabling arbitrary timing operation while preventing power overload and avoiding complex scheduling controls.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a stapler includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material, a power source configured to supply electric power to the image forming unit and the stapler, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the stapler. In the image forming apparatus, a time period for prohibiting the operation of the stapler is set such that a total of a power consumption of the image forming unit and a power consumption of the stapler is equal to or less than an electric power the power source can supply so as to perform the operation of the stapler and the operation of the image forming unit partially in parallel with each other.