Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
  • G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
  • G03G15/23—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 specially adapted for copying both sides of an original or for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
  • G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
  • G03G15/23—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 specially adapted for copying both sides of an original or for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material
  • G03G15/231—Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
  • G03G2215/00016—Special arrangement of entire apparatus
  • G03G2215/00021—Plural substantially independent image forming units in cooperation, e.g. for duplex, colour or high-speed simplex

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for operating a printer or copier, in which a first electrographic printing unit, which prints an image pattern on a sheet material, is fed sheet material one after the other via an input section, and in which the printed material is fed individually via an output section is output one after the other.
• a printer is known from US Pat. No. 4,587,532 which has three printing units arranged one above the other and which print individual sheets together or alternately.
• the paper feeder contains switches to feed the single sheets to the various printing units.
• DE 34 22 942 AI describes a printing system that has two electrophotographic printing stations. If a fault occurs in one printing station, the printing station in question is switched off, the other printing station continuing to operate.
• a modular electrophotographic printing device which two Contains printing modules.
• the printing modules can work in simplex mode, with both printing modules being fed single sheets via switches. Furthermore, duplex operation is possible, in which the single sheets are first fed to the one printing module for printing with a first printed image; a further printed image can then be applied by the second printing module.
• the print modules are designed as separate structural units for fastening in a single housing.
• the printer system contains two printing units that can be connected to each other via a paper guide system.
• the paper guide system also enables the cut sheets to be turned, so that duplex printing with printing on both sides is possible.
• No. 4,972,236 also describes an image generation system with a plurality of printing units which are arranged vertically one above the other in order to save space.
• the paper transports for both printing units are connected to one another by a connecting channel.
• the disturbed printing unit is switched off when the first printing unit or the second printing unit is disturbed, the first switch only feeding sheet-like material to the undisturbed printing unit.
• the undisturbed printing unit With the help of the undisturbed printing unit, a printing operation can still be maintained so that print jobs can be processed until the repair service arrives.
• Pred. is the function probability of the entire printing system or copying system
• Pl is the function probability of the first printing unit
• P2 is the function probability of the second printing unit.
• the function probability for redundant restricted operation increases to 99% according to this formula.
• the printing performance is reduced in the event of a printing unit failure, but the complete failure of the printing system or copying system is very likely to be avoided, which means a high level of security for the user in executing his jobs.
• the input section contains a switch which supplies sheet material either to the first transfer printing path or to the second transfer printing path.
• the simplex printing mode is realized with one color, ie supplied sheet-like material, eg single sheets of paper, are printed on one side by the first printing unit or by the second printing unit.
• the switch leads sheet material alternately to the first transfer printing path and the second transfer printing path. Since each printing unit prints the sheet material with the same transfer printing speed and two printing units are arranged in parallel, the printing capacity in the device doubles overall. Accordingly, single sheets can be fed in and out again at twice the printing speed.
• first transfer printing transport path and the second transfer printing transport path are connected by a connecting channel through which sheet material can be conveyed in one or in both transport directions.
• a connecting channel through which sheet material can be conveyed in one or in both transport directions.
• a further embodiment provides that the sheet-like material is turned during transport from the first transfer printing path to the second transfer printing path.
• each printing unit can print on the front and also on the back of a single sheet. If developer stations with different colors are used for the two printing units, two image patterns with two different colors can be printed on each side of the single sheet, i.e. a so-called two-color duplex operation, also called duplex color spot operation, can be implemented.
• FIG. 1 schematically shows the construction of a high-performance printer in which the invention is implemented
• FIG. 2 shows schematically the operating mode simplex printing with the lower printing unit
• FIG. 3 schematically, the operating mode simplex printing with the upper printing unit
• FIG. 4 the operating mode alternating simplex printing
• FIG. 5 the duplex printing mode
• Figure 6 shows the operating mode two-color simplex printing
• Figure 7 shows schematically the operating mode two-color duplex printing.
• FIG. 1 shows a high-performance printer 10 which is used for the rapid printing of single sheets of paper.
• the high performance printer 10 includes a first, lower one
• the printing units D1, D2 are followed by fixing devices, which are indicated schematically in FIG. 1 by two pairs of rollers 12, 14.
• a paper input 16 is connected to the high-performance printer 10 and contains a plurality of storage containers 18 to 24 with single sheets as well as an external paper feed channel 26, via which single sheets can be fed from the outside. Single sheets are fed to an input section 28 via a transport channel.
• a paper output 30, which contains a plurality of output containers 32 to 36, is connected to the high-performance printer 10.
• two output channels 38, 40 are provided, via which single sheets can be output to further processing stations.
• the high-performance printer 10 delivers the printed single sheets via the output section 42.
• Transport paths for the transport of the single sheets are arranged in the interior of the high-performance printer 10, through which various operating modes of the high-performance printer are realized.
• the printing units D1, D2 are each assigned transfer printing transport paths 44, 46, which are each set by drives so that the single sheets fed to the printing units D1, D2 have their transfer printing speed. Both transfer printing transport paths 44, 46 are connected to one another via a connecting channel 48.
• the transport path around the first printing unit D1 is supplemented to form a ring by a feed channel 50, via which individual sheets can also be fed from the input section 28 to the second transfer printing transport path 46.
• the transport path for the second printing unit D2 is supplemented in a similar manner to form a ring by a discharge channel 52, via which individual sheets printed by the printing unit D1 can be fed to the output section 42.
• a first switch W1 is located between the input section 28, the first transfer printing transport path 44 and the feed channel 50 arranged, which enables single sheets from the input section 28 to be optionally fed to the first transfer printing path 44 or the feed channel 50.
• Another variant consists in that single sheets transported in the direction of the switch W1 on the feed channel 50 can be fed to the first transfer printing path 44.
• a second switch W2 and a third switch W3 are arranged at the ends of the connecting channel 48 and connect the adjacent transport paths 44, 48, 52 and 46, 48, 50, respectively.
• a fourth switch W4 is located in the vicinity of the delivery section 42 and connects the adjacent transport routes.
• the paper output 30 contains a fifth switch W5, which works as a turning device. Furthermore, it should also be pointed out to a control device 54 to which reject single sheets are fed via a switch W6.
• FIG. 1 Different operating modes of the high-performance printer 10 can be realized by the arrangement described in FIG.
• the various operating modes are shown schematically in the following FIGS. 2 to 7.
• the respective promotion of the single sheets is illustrated by arrows.
• the simplex printing is shown schematically with only one printing unit. With this simplex printing only one side of a single sheet is printed.
• the single sheet reaches the first transfer printing path 44 via the input section 28 and the appropriately switched switch W1 along the arrow P1 and is printed on the printing unit Dl.
• the single sheet is then output along the discharge channel 52 (arrow P2) via the output section 42 into the paper output 30 (arrow P3).
• FIG 3 shows the simplex printing with the upper, second printing unit D2.
• the single sheet is transported via the Feed channel 50 (arrow P4), the second transfer printing path (arrow P5) to the paper output 30 (arrow P ⁇ ).
• FIG. 4 shows schematically the transport of the single sheets.
• the switch Wl alternately feeds the feed channel 50 or the first transfer printing path 44 single sheets (arrows P7, P8).
• the individual sheets are slowed down to the transfer speed on their transport to the printing units D1, D2, printed there on the front side and then conveyed further to the switch W4.
• the single sheets are accelerated to at least twice the transfer printing speed, so that they are output at a distance from one another at the common output section via switch W4 and successively in paper output 30 with at least twice the transfer printing speed according to arrow Pll can be transported further.
• the single sheets to the input section 28 are fed to the printing units D1, D2 with at least twice the transfer printing speed.
• the single sheets are also conveyed and deposited at at least twice the speed.
• the transport paths for the single sheets fed to the first printing unit D1 and the single sheets fed to the second printing unit D2 are preferably designed symmetrically, or at least the same length, so that the single sheets with the same speed profile can be slowed down and accelerated. This makes it possible to construct the drives and devices required for transport in the same way. It is also possible to use similar controls.
• FIG. 5 shows schematically the duplex printing mode, in which the single sheets are printed on both sides.
• the single sheets fed to the input section 28 are fed through the first switch W1 to the first transfer printing transport path 44 (arrow P13).
• the respective single sheet is conveyed a turning distance according to the arrow P14 beyond the switch W2. This turning path is part of the discharge channel 52.
• the conveying direction is then reversed according to arrow P15, and the switch W2 then guides the single sheet according to the arrow P16 into the connecting channel 48.
• the single sheet is then moved from the switch W3 in the direction of the arrow P17 diverted to the second transfer printing transport path 46.
• the printing unit D2 is supplied with the not yet printed back of the single sheet for printing.
• the individual sheets are then fed to the switch W4 in accordance with the arrow P18 and transported to the paper output 30 along the arrow P19.
• the W5 switch serves this purpose.
• the single sheet is first passed through the switch W5 in the direction of the arrow P20 for a predetermined turning distance. Then the transport direction is reversed according to arrow P21 and the switch W5 conveys the single sheet in the direction of arrow P22, whereupon it is deposited in the storage compartments 32 to 36 with the correct orientation.
• the switch W2 works as a turning device in order to feed the back of the single sheet to the printing unit D2.
• the turnout W3 can also be used.
• the single sheet leaving the printing unit DJ is then turned over the switch W2, the connecting channel 48 the switch W3 and then for a short turning distance along the feed channel 50 in the direction of the switch Wl.
• the transport direction is reversed and the switch W3 guides the single sheet in the direction of the printing unit D2 with its rear side up.
• FIG. 6 schematically shows a further operating mode, two-color simplex printing, in which the front of a single sheet is printed with two image patterns of different colors.
• the two printing units D1, D2 print image samples of different colors.
• the single sheet is fed to the printing unit Dl via the switch Wl (arrow P25).
• the single sheet is then fed via the switch W2 to the connecting channel 48 without turning and then via the switch W3 to the printing unit D2
• the printing unit D2 prints the front side with a different color from the printing unit Dl
• the single sheet is then output to the paper output 30 via the switch W4 (arrow P28).
• FIG. 7 schematically shows the transport path of a single sheet in the two-color duplex printing mode, in which the front and the back of a single sheet are printed with image patterns of different colors.
• the prerequisite for this is that the printing units D1 and D2 print different-colored print images.
• the two-color printing of the front is carried out as in the two-color simplex printing mode according to FIG. 6.
• the arrows P25, P26, P27 and P28 illustrate the transport route.
• the single sheet is then fed again to the printing unit Dl.
• the arrows P29 to P36 illustrate the transport path of the single sheet for printing on the back. So that this back is fed to the printing unit Dl, the single sheet must be turned on the transport path between the printing unit D2 and the printing unit Dl.
• This turning can take place, for example, on the switch W4, the switch W2 or the switch W3.
• the turning is carried out using the switch W4, ie the single sheet is first transported for a short turning distance in the direction of the switch W5, then the transport direction is reversed and the single sheet is conveyed further in the direction of the switch W2. After the transport into the paper output 30 according to the arrow P36, the turnout W5 is turned further and then the single sheet, which is printed on both sides with two color images, is deposited in the correct direction.
• An alternative transport of the single sheet through the high-performance printer 10 to implement the two-color duplex printing mode can be carried out in the following manner.
• the single sheet is fed from the input section 28 via the switch W1 to the printing unit Dl, printed on its front side and then briefly directed via the switches W2 and W3 for turning in the direction of the switch Wl.
• the transport direction is changed in the direction of the printing unit D2 and the single sheet is conveyed on the transfer printing transport path 46.
• the switch W3 thus serves as a turning station.
• the back of the single sheet is accordingly printed on the printing unit D2.
• the single sheet is fed again via the switches W4, W2, W3 and Wl to the first printing unit Dl in order to now print on the back.
• the single sheet must be turned over for this. This is done on switch W4, where it is briefly conveyed in the direction of switch W5, the transport direction is reversed and transported in the direction of switch W2 in the turned state.
• the single sheet is fed to the printing unit D2 via the switches W2 and W3, whereby it is turned. Now the front is printed by the printing unit D2.
• the single sheet is then fed over the switch W4 to the storage compartments 32 to 36. Since it is now in the correct position, ie upside down in the tray 30 arrives, it does not have to be turned again through the switch W5.
• the high-performance printer 10 can maintain a restricted printing operation even if one of the printing units D1 or D2 fails.
• simplex printing ( Figure 2) e.g. If the printing unit D2 fails, the switch Wl can be set so that it feeds single sheets exclusively to the printing unit Dl.
• the printing unit D2 is switched off and the second transfer printing transport path 46 is not used.
• the single sheets printed by the printing unit D1 are output to the paper output 30 via the switches W2 and W4. In this operating state, the high-performance printer 10 only works at half the conveying speed of the single sheets compared to undisturbed operation.
• the switches W1 and W3 then feed single sheets via the feed channel 50 and the second transfer printing transport path 46 to the second printing unit D2.
• the printed single sheets are then output to the paper output 30 via the switch W4.
• duplex operation with the second printing unit D2 can still be maintained via the transport lines 46, 52 and 48.
• the single sheets are fed to the second printing unit D2 via the switches W1 and W3.
• the printed single sheets are led over the switch W4 for a short section in the direction of the switch W5.
• the transport direction is reversed and the respective single sheet is guided in the direction of the switch W2.
• the single sheet is turned.
• the single sheet is then fed again to the printing unit D2 via the connecting channel 48 and the switch W3 and the back is now printed.
• the single sheet printed on both sides is then output via the switch W4 and, if necessary, turned over on the switch W5 and then placed in one of the output containers 32 to 36.
• the described redundancy operation with a faulty and a fully functional printing unit increases the probability of operation for the operation of the entire high-performance printer.
• the user of the high-performance printer can continue to process his order despite a faulty printing unit, until the repair service called up brings both printing units back into a functional state.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
• Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)
• Counters In Electrophotography And Two-Sided Copying (AREA)
• Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
• Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=7809493

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (26)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1997
  • 1997-10-22 EP EP97947019A patent/EP1008017B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-10-22 CA CA002269811A patent/CA2269811C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-10-22 JP JP51884198A patent/JP4253690B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-10-22 EP EP99113944A patent/EP0957409A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-10-22 DE DE59707176T patent/DE59707176D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-10-22 WO PCT/DE1997/002466 patent/WO1998018054A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 1997-10-22 DE DE19781182T patent/DE19781182B4/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-10-22 US US09/284,918 patent/US6101364A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (4)

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