Arc-Shaped Sheet Discriminator Opening Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet discriminators face challenges in accurately distinguishing and handling various types of sheets, particularly in preventing damage during insertion due to the design of the opening, which can cause curling and deformation.
Innovation Solution
The sheet discriminator incorporates an arc-shaped or chamfered opening design on its detector body, along with a sheet loading table and a light-based information detection system, to gently guide and detect sheet information, reducing the risk of damage and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular opening is used in the detector body, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sheet leading end gets caught causing curling and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the detector body is designed with at least one arc-shaped side instead of a rectangular shape. This curvature prevents the leading end of the sheet from being caught by sharp corners, thereby eliminating sheet curling and deformation while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard molding techniques
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening is designed with arc-shaped sides, then sheet curling and deformation are prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Only the critical portions of the opening (the sides that contact the sheet leading end) are designed with arc-shaped profiles, while other portions of the detector body maintain simple geometric forms. This localized application of complexity minimizes manufacturing difficulty while effectively preventing sheet damage
3Loss of time
If the sheet discriminator is disposed outside the image forming apparatus, then sheet type detection is enabled before image formation, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet discriminator is positioned outside the image forming apparatus to perform sheet type detection before the sheet enters the imaging system. This preliminary detection allows the image forming apparatus to pre-configure appropriate imaging parameters, reducing processing time and improving efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively prevents sheet curling and deformation, enabling precise sheet type identification and accurate thickness measurement, enhancing the reliability of sheet discrimination and image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitting element of the sheet information detecting sensor emits light to a surface of a sheet. Among the light emitted by the light emitting element, the light reflected on the surface of the sheet is received by a reflection light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet loader on which a recording medium is loaded, an information detector including a light emitter to emit light to a surface of the recording medium loaded on the sheet loader and a light receiver to receive the light emitted by the light emitter and detecting information of the recording medium, a sheet distinguisher to distinguish a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the information detector, and a detector body encasing at least the information detector therein and having an opening formed on an opposing face facing the sheet loader. The opposing face has an opening formed thereon. The opening has at least one arc-shaped side.