Foreign matter detection structure of print medium and print medium processing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to printing medium processing equipment technical field, concretely provides a kind of printing medium's foreign matter detection structure and printing medium processing equipment, the printing medium's foreign matter detection structure includes driving roller;Friction piece, cooperate with driving roller, passage for single printing medium is defined between friction piece and driving roller, friction piece and driving roller are cooperated to printing medium and exert friction force to convey printing medium;First detector, for detecting the position change of friction piece relative to driving roller.Through above-mentioned configuration, the automation configuration of printing medium's foreign matter detection structure is replaced with manual screening operation of operator, it is helpful to operator to pour time and energy on corresponding printing medium processing program.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of printing media processing equipment, and in particular to a foreign object detection structure for printing media and a printing media processing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Current printing media handling equipment, such as printers, scanners, and exam paper graders, processes some printed media (e.g., exam papers, assignments) that have already been written on and are reused paper. These media may contain foreign objects such as correction fluid, correction tape, adhesive tape, staples, pins, and thumbtacks. These foreign objects can easily obstruct the media's transport path and may even tear the exam paper or assignment. Since printing media handling equipment lacks foreign object detection capabilities, operators must manually screen out media containing foreign objects before printing or scanning for further processing. However, manual screening cannot guarantee the removal of all media containing foreign objects; moreover, it consumes additional time and effort for operators, indirectly reducing their processing efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides a foreign object detection structure and printing media processing device for printing media, which solves the problem that the existing technology can only rely on manual screening to identify printing media containing foreign objects, which may lead to omissions due to operator distraction and is particularly time-consuming and energy-intensive for operators. It realizes the identification of printing media containing foreign objects by automatic configuration, which minimizes the possibility of screening errors and allows operators to concentrate on the corresponding printing media processing procedures.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a foreign object detection structure for a printing medium is provided, comprising: Active roller; The friction element, in conjunction with the drive roller, defines a channel for a single sheet of printing media to pass through between the friction element and the drive roller. The friction element and the drive roller work together to apply frictional force to the printing media to transport the printing media. The first detector is used to detect the positional change of the friction element relative to the drive roller.

[0005] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, the active roller includes a first active roller and a second active roller. In the printing media feeding direction, the first active roller and the second active roller are arranged in any order. The length of the first active roller is less than the width of the printing media, and the length of the second active roller is not less than the width of the printing media.

[0006] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, the first active roller is laterally centered relative to the feed channel of the printing media, and the length of the first active roller is 30% to 40% of the width of the printing media.

[0007] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, a first detector is provided in the central section of the friction member that cooperates with the first active roller; and a first detector is provided at each end of the friction member that cooperates with the second active roller.

[0008] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, the first detector is a pressure sensor, and the foreign object detection structure for printing media also includes an elastic element. The first detector is connected to a friction element through the elastic element, and the first detector detects the change in force of the elastic element caused by the change in position of the friction element.

[0009] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, a second detector is also included, which is disposed at the end of the drive roller, for detecting whether a single printing medium passing by carries a metallic foreign object.

[0010] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, the second detector is a magnetic sensor or a metal detector.

[0011] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, the first detector and the second detector are communicatively connected to the active roller. When the first detector or the second detector detects a target object, the active roller stops rotating.

[0012] According to the foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model, an alarm is also included. The alarm is communicatively connected to a first detector and a second detector. When the first detector or the second detector detects a target object, the alarm sounds an alarm.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing media processing device is also provided, including a foreign object detection structure for the printing media as described in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the foreign object detection structure for the printing media is disposed at the feed inlet of the printing media processing device.

[0014] The foreign object detection structure for printing media provided by this utility model defines a channel for a single sheet of printing media to pass through through the cooperation of an active roller and a friction element. Based on this, considering that the height of foreign objects on the printing media is likely to be significantly greater than the thickness of a single sheet of printing media, when the foreign object passes through this gap, it will push the friction element away from the active roller. Subsequently, the elastic element detects the movement of the friction element away from the active roller by the first detector. Thus, the foreign object detection structure for printing media automatically and one by one identifies whether each sheet of printing media fed in sequentially carries foreign objects. In other words, the automated configuration of the foreign object detection structure for printing media replaces the manual screening work of the operator, allowing the operator to focus their time and energy on the corresponding printing media processing procedures. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the first drive roller and its associated components provided by this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of the first drive roller and its associated components provided by this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second drive roller and its associated components provided by this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the second detector provided by this utility model.

[0020] Figure label: 1. Drive roller; 2. Friction component; 3. Elastic element; 4. First detector; 5. Second detector; 6. Bearing; F. Feed direction; L. Length (of drive roller); O. Foreign object; O'. Metallic foreign object; P. Printing medium; W. Width (of printing medium). Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or a detachable connection, wherein a fixed connection can include an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this embodiment of the utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0025] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0026] The following is combined Figures 1 to 4This invention describes a foreign object detection structure for printing media and a printing media processing device.

[0027] See Figures 1 to 4 The foreign object detection structure for the printing medium in this embodiment may include a single drive roller 1, a friction element 2, and a first detector 4. The drive roller 1 and the friction element 2 define a channel for a single sheet of printing medium P to pass through. The friction element 2 and the drive roller 1 cooperate to apply friction to the printing medium P to transport the printing medium P. The first detector 4 is used to detect changes in the position of the friction element 2 relative to the drive roller 1.

[0028] The working principle of the foreign object detection structure for printing media of this utility model is as follows: When printing media P is fed into the foreign object detection structure, a single sheet of printing media P passes through the drive roller 1. If the single sheet of printing media P does not carry any foreign object O, then obviously, the thickness of printing media P remains basically unchanged, and consequently, the position of the drive roller 1 will not change. Conversely, if the single sheet of printing media P carries a foreign object O, when the foreign object O passes through the drive roller 1, it pushes the friction element 2 away from the drive roller 1. Accordingly, the change in position of the friction element 2 away from the drive roller 1 can be detected by the first detector 4.

[0029] The first detector 4 can be any type of detector, as long as it can detect the positional change of the friction element 2 relative to the drive roller 1.

[0030] There can be only one drive roller 1. In this case, the length L of the drive roller 1 is generally not less than the width W of the printing medium P, so as to ensure that the printing medium P can be conveyed normally under the drive of the drive roller 1. Of course, the length L of the drive roller 1 can also be slightly less than the width W of the printing medium P. For example, the length L of the drive roller 1 can be more than 0.8 times the width W of the printing medium P.

[0031] Considering factors such as the sensitivity of the first detector 4, the length of the friction element 2, and the position of the foreign object O relative to the friction element 2, the foreign object detection structure of the printing medium may include more than one active roller 1 and corresponding friction elements 2 and the first detector 4. For example... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the drive roller 1 may also include a first drive roller and a second drive roller that cooperate with each other (the main difference between the first drive roller and the second drive roller is their length). Figure 1 The drive roller 1 in the text is the first drive roller. Figure 3 The driving roller in this case is the second driving roller.

[0032] In the feeding direction F of the printing media P, the first and second drive rollers can be arranged in any order. That is, in the feeding direction F of the printing media P, the first drive roller can be positioned before the second drive roller, and vice versa. The arrangement order of the first and second drive rollers depends on the specific application scenario of the printing media P processing equipment, and manufacturers can choose according to the requirements of that specific application scenario. For more information, please refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first and second drive rollers are of different sizes to detect foreign matter O in different areas of the printing medium P.

[0033] In one embodiment, see Figures 1 to 2 The length L of the first active roller is less than the width W of the printing medium P, and the first active roller is laterally centered relative to the feed channel of the printing medium P. It can be imagined that the length direction of the friction element 2 and the length direction of the first active roller are both parallel to the lateral extension of the feed channel of the printing medium P; that is, the friction element 2 and the first active roller are essentially side-by-side. The lateral centeredness of the first active roller and the friction element 2 relative to the feed channel of the printing medium P means that the combination of the first active roller and the friction element 2 is used to detect whether the middle portion of the printing medium P, along its width W, contains foreign matter O.

[0034] Alternatively, in another embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 The length L of the second active roller is not less than the width of the printing medium P, similar to the single active roller 1 in the aforementioned embodiment. It can be imagined that the length direction of the friction element 2 and the length direction of the second active roller are both parallel to the lateral extension of the feed channel of the printing medium P. The span between the second active roller and the friction element 2 covers the entire width W of the printing medium P.

[0035] The middle portion of the printing medium P along its width W is detected by a combination of a first active roller and a friction element 2, while the two side portions of the printing medium P (along its width W) are detected by a combination of a second active roller and a friction element 2. Each end of the friction element 2 corresponding to the second active roller is equipped with a first detector 4. When the two side portions of the printing medium P contain foreign matter O, and the foreign matter O passes through the second active roller, the foreign matter O will push the corresponding end of the friction element 2 away from the second active roller.

[0036] The specific structural form of the friction element 2 in this application embodiment is not limited, as long as it can cooperate with the drive roller 1 to define a channel for a single sheet of printing medium P to pass through, and can work in conjunction with the drive roller 1 to apply frictional force to the printing medium P to transport the printing medium P. For example, Figure 2 In the middle, friction component 2 is a friction plate. Figure 3 In the middle, friction element 2 is the driven roller.

[0037] When friction element 2 is a friction plate, it has a length extending laterally along the feed channel of the printing medium P and a width extending in the feed direction F of the printing medium P. The friction element 2 (i.e., the friction plate) cooperating with the first drive roller has a length close to the length L of the first drive roller. The friction plate cooperates with the first drive roller, and a channel for a single sheet of printing medium P to pass through is defined between the friction plate and the first drive roller. The friction plate and the first drive roller cooperate to apply frictional force to the printing medium P to transport the printing medium P. Similarly, the friction element 2 (i.e., the friction plate) cooperating with the second drive roller has a length close to the length L of the second drive roller.

[0038] When friction element 2 is a driven roller, its dimensions can be close to or exactly the same as those of the driving roller 1. In particular, the driven roller can have a radius that is substantially the same as that of the second driving roller, or its radius can be slightly smaller than that of the second driving roller. In the transverse direction of the feed channel of the printing medium P, friction element 2 has a length close to that of the length L of the second driving roller. The driven roller and the second driving roller extend parallel to each other and cooperate to define a channel for a single sheet of printing medium P to pass through. The driven roller and the second driving roller cooperate to apply frictional force to the printing medium P to transport the printing medium P. The advantage of this configuration is that foreign matter O on the middle portion of the printing medium P is detected by the combination of the first active roller and the friction plate, because foreign matter O in the middle portion can push the friction plate away from the first active roller to the maximum extent, that is, it can cause the maximum movement amplitude of the friction plate corresponding to the middle portion; similarly, foreign matter O on the two sides of the printing medium P is detected by the combination of the second active roller and the driven roller, because foreign matter O on the two sides can push the corresponding end of the driven roller away from the second active roller to the maximum extent, that is, it can cause the maximum movement amplitude of the corresponding end of the driven roller corresponding to any one of the two sides.

[0039] Of course, the friction element 2 that cooperates with the first driving roller is not limited to a friction plate, and the friction element 2 that cooperates with the second driving roller is not limited to a driven roller. For example, the friction element 2 that cooperates with the first driving roller can also be a driven roller of similar size, and the friction element 2 that cooperates with the second driving roller can also be a friction plate of similar length. Furthermore, the friction element 2 that cooperates with the first driving roller or the second driving roller can also be other forms of friction elements besides a driven roller or a friction plate.

[0040] As described above, the first detector 4 can be any type of detector, as long as it can detect the positional change of the friction element 2 relative to the drive roller 1.

[0041] The spatial arrangement of the first detector 4 can be related to the length L of the drive roller 1. For the friction element 2 that cooperates with the first drive roller, the first detector 4 can be set in the central section of the friction element 2; while for the friction element 2 that cooperates with the second drive roller, two first detectors 4 can be set, respectively set at both ends of the friction element 2. The advantage of this arrangement is that the number and spatial arrangement of the first detectors 4 are set based on the length L of the drive roller 1, which can optimize the number of the first detectors 4 and, based on the optimized number, enable the first detectors 4 to detect the most significant positional change section of the friction element 2. That is, for the relatively short friction element (i.e., the friction element corresponding to the first drive roller), even if the central section is detected, a significant positional change can be detected; while for the relatively long friction element (i.e., the friction element corresponding to the second drive roller), foreign objects O on both sides of the printing medium P can cause a significant positional change at the corresponding end of the driven roller.

[0042] The first detector 4 can be a pressure sensor, which is located below the friction element 2 and at a predetermined distance from the friction element 2. For example, the first detector 4 is installed on the body of the printing media processing device.

[0043] In the case where the first detector 4 is a pressure sensor, the foreign object detection structure for the printing media also includes an elastic element 3, such as a spring or other similar elastic body. The first end of the elastic element 3 is connected to the friction element 2, and its second end is connected to the first detector 4. Since the first detector 4 is spaced a preset distance from the friction element 2, the initial state of the elastic element 3 can be set to a natural state or a pre-compressed state. This ensures that the second end of the elastic element 3 is supported by the first detector 4, i.e., by the body of the printing media handling device. Due to the inherent properties of the elastic element 3, the first end of the elastic element 3 pushes the friction element 2 towards the corresponding drive roller 1, or at least maintains the friction element 2 in just-right contact with the corresponding drive roller 1. When a foreign object O passes through the first or second drive roller, the foreign object O pushes the friction element 2 away from the corresponding drive roller 1. The elastic element 3 undergoes elastic deformation due to the change in the position of the friction element 2, thereby changing the elastic force applied to the first detector 4. This change in force can be detected by the first detector 4. In particular, in the embodiment where the friction element 2 is a driven roller, the first end of the elastic element 3 is connected to the corresponding end of the friction element 2 via the bearing 6. As a result, the elastic element 3 is indirectly connected to the friction element 2, thereby enabling the detection of its position change without hindering the rotation of the friction element 2.

[0044] The first detector 4 can be a position sensor. When the friction element 2 is pushed by the foreign object O, it undergoes a positional change away from the corresponding drive roller 1, and this positional change can be detected by the first detector 4. Of course, the first detector 4 can also be other types of detectors capable of detecting positional changes of the friction element 2 relative to the first drive roller or the second drive roller.

[0045] Furthermore, considering the possibility of metallic foreign objects O', such as staples or pins, whose height is not significantly greater than the thickness of a single sheet of printing medium P, and given that a single sheet of printing medium P containing such foreign objects O does not show a significant change in position of the friction element 2 when passing through the channel between the friction element 2 and the drive roller 1, the first detector may not be able to accurately determine whether there are foreign objects on the printing medium P based on the displacement of the friction element 2. Therefore, the foreign object detection structure for the printing medium in this embodiment can also be equipped with a second detector 5. Please refer to... Figure 4 When the active roller 1 includes a first active roller and a second active roller, a second detector 5 is respectively provided at both ends of the first active roller; when only one type of active roller is included, the second detector 5 can be provided at the middle section or near the middle section of that active roller. The location of the second detector 5 is not limited, as long as it can detect the metal foreign object O' on the entire printing medium P. The second detector 5 is a magnetic sensor, a metal detector, or other similar metal detection sensor. The two ends of the first active roller can be connected to the body of the printing medium processing equipment, and naturally, the second detectors 5 located at both ends of the first active roller are located on the body of the printing medium processing equipment. When the printing medium P carrying the metal foreign object O' passes through the first active roller, the metal foreign object O' will change the magnetic field at the first active roller to a certain extent, thereby being detected by the second detector 5.

[0046] The foreign object detection structure for the printing media can be configured such that the first detector 4 and the second detector 5 are communicatively connected to the first and second drive rollers, respectively. When the first detector 4 detects a change in the elastic force of the elastic element 3, or when the second detector 5 detects the presence of a metallic foreign object O', the first detector 4 or the second detector 5 that detected the target object (change in elastic force / metallic foreign object O') instructs the first and second drive rollers to stop rotating, to prevent the foreign object O from penetrating deeper into the printing media processing equipment, as sharp foreign objects O would damage its components. Of course, when there is only one drive roller, this drive roller is communicatively connected to the first detector 4 and the second detector 5 via a controller.

[0047] The foreign object detection structure for the printing media can also include an alarm (not shown in the figure), which is communicatively connected to the first detector 4 and the second detector 5. When the first detector 4 or the second detector 5 detects the target object (change in elastic force / metallic foreign object O'), it instructs the alarm to sound, thereby alerting the operator. The alert can take the form of an alarm sound, a warning light, or a prompt message displayed on the screen of the printing media handling equipment to guide the operator to manually remove the foreign object O. Alternatively, if the foreign object O on the printing media P is difficult to remove, the printing media P can be removed separately.

[0048] According to a second aspect of this invention, a printing media processing device is also provided, comprising a foreign object detection structure for printing media as described above. The printing media processing device is, for example, a printer, scanner, or paper reader. The foreign object detection structure is located at the inlet of the printing media processing device. Thus, when a printing medium P is fed into the inlet of the printing media processing device by an operator, the foreign object detection structure automatically detects whether the printing medium P contains a foreign object O, thereby stopping the rotation of the drive roller 1 and prompting the operator to intervene, thereby removing the foreign object O from the printing medium P or removing the entire printing medium P, so that the content on the printing medium P can be printed / scanned / read more accurately subsequently.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A foreign object detection structure for printing media, characterized in that, include: Active roller (1); Friction element (2), in cooperation with the active roller (1), defines a channel for a single sheet of printing medium (P) to pass through between the friction element (2) and the active roller (1), and the friction element (2) and the active roller (1) work together to apply friction to the printing medium (P) to transport the printing medium (P); The first detector (4) is used to detect the positional change of the friction element (2) relative to the active roller (1).

2. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active roller (1) includes a first active roller and a second active roller. In the feeding direction (F) of the printing medium (P), the first active roller and the second active roller are arranged in any order. The length (L) of the first active roller is less than the width (W) of the printing medium (P), and the length (L) of the second active roller is not less than the width (W) of the printing medium (P).

3. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first active roller is laterally centered relative to the feed channel of the printing medium (P), and the length (L) of the first active roller is 30% to 40% of the width (W) of the printing medium (P).

4. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 3, characterized in that, The friction member (2) that cooperates with the first active roller is provided with the first detector (4) in the central section; the friction member (2) that cooperates with the second active roller is provided with the first detector (4) at both ends.

5. The foreign matter detection structure for printing media according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first detector (4) is a pressure sensor. The foreign object detection structure of the printing medium also includes an elastic element (3). The first detector (4) is connected to the friction element (2) through the elastic element (3). The first detector detects the change in force of the elastic element (3) caused by the change in position of the friction element (2).

6. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second detector (5), which is located at the end of the drive roller (1) for detecting whether a single sheet of printing media (P) passing by carries a metallic foreign object (O').

7. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second detector (5) is a magnetic sensor or a metal detector.

8. The foreign object detection structure for printing media according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first detector (4) and the second detector (5) are communicatively connected to the active roller (1). When the first detector (4) or the second detector (5) detects a target object, the active roller (1) stops rotating.

9. The foreign object detection structure for the printing medium according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, It also includes an alarm that is communicatively connected to the first detector (4) and the second detector (5). When the first detector (4) or the second detector (5) detects the target object, the alarm will sound an alarm.

10. A printing media processing device, characterized in that, The invention includes a foreign object detection structure for the printing medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the foreign object detection structure for the printing medium is disposed at the feed inlet of the printing medium processing device.

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