Transport Destination Switching Unit Jam Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recording systems with additional output stackers face issues where a jam in the additional output stacker can spread throughout the system due to prolonged processing time in switching the transport destination of the recording medium from the additional stacker to the apparatus-side output tray.
Innovation Solution
The system includes an image recording apparatus with an apparatus-side transport unit, an image recording unit, an apparatus-side output tray, a transport destination switching unit, and an apparatus-side controller, along with an additional output stacker featuring a stacker-side transport unit, a jam detecting unit, and a stacker-side controller that directly controls the transport destination switching unit to quickly redirect the recording medium to the apparatus-side output tray when a jam occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the apparatus-side controller switches the transport destination when a jam is detected in the additional output stacker, then the jam is prevented from spreading throughout the recording system, but the response time is prolonged causing the jam to spread before switching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stacker-side controller as an intermediary device that directly controls the transport destination switching unit. This intermediary controller receives jam detection signals from the additional output stacker and immediately switches the transport destination without waiting for communication with the apparatus-side controller, thereby reducing response time and preventing jam spread.
2Device complexity
If the transport destination switching is delayed, then the control system maintains simplicity with centralized control, but the recording medium jam spreads from the additional output stacker throughout the recording system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two independent controllers: an apparatus-side controller for overall system management and a stacker-side controller for local jam response. This segmentation allows the stacker-side controller to independently handle jam situations without affecting the complexity of the overall control architecture, while effectively containing jams to the additional output stacker.
3Device complexity
If the system uses a centralized apparatus-side controller for switching transport destination, then the control architecture remains simple, but the processing time increases causing paper waste
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker-side controller acts as an intermediary that directly controls the transport destination switching unit, eliminating the need for communication delays with the apparatus-side controller. This intermediary approach reduces processing time and prevents paper waste by immediately redirecting recording media when jams are detected in the additional output stacker.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes an apparatus-side transport destination switching unit that may switch selectively the transport destination of paper on which an image has been recorded between an apparatus-side output tray and an additional output stacker. The additional output stacker includes an additional output tray that may be configured to receive paper; a stacker-side transport unit that is configured to transport paper, which has been transported from the image recording apparatus, to the additional output tray; and a stacker-side controller that controls the transport destination switching unit of the image recording apparatus. When a paper jam is detected on the stacker-side transport unit, the additional unit controller controls the apparatus-side transport destination switching unit, so that the transport destination of the paper may be switched from the additional output tray to the apparatus-side output tray.