Cam Driving Mechanism with Integrated Optical Sensor for Belt Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cam driving mechanisms for belt transporting apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the reference and cam positions, leading to inefficient alignment adjustments and increased size and cost due to the need for multiple sensors and complex detection systems.
Innovation Solution
A cam driving mechanism incorporating a gear train with a pulse disk and a home position detecting member, where the pulse disk has slits for position detection and a cam position detecting sensor with a light-emitting and light-receiving portion to accurately determine the cam's rotation angle and home position, allowing for compact construction and reduced sensor costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and complex detection systems are used to accurately detect cam position and home position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines home position detection and cam position detection functions into a single optical sensor. The pulse disk integrates both home position marks and position measurement slits, allowing one sensor to perform both detection tasks simultaneously, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is designed with multi-functionality to detect both home position (via the home position mark on the pulse disk) and cam position (via the slits). This universal detection capability eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, reducing overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect both home position and cam position, then measurement precision is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges home position detection and cam position detection into a single optical sensor assembly. By using one sensor instead of two separate sensors, the spatial footprint is reduced, leading to a more compact apparatus design while maintaining the ability to detect both positions accurately
3Reliability
If conventional alignment adjustment methods are used, then belt meandering can be corrected, but the detection and control system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines home position detection and cam position detection functions into a single optical sensor. The pulse disk integrates both home position marks and position measurement slits, allowing one sensor to perform both detection tasks simultaneously, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with an optical detection system. The optical sensor and pulse disk combination provides precise position and home position detection without the mechanical complexity of traditional encoders or multiple mechanical sensors, simplifying the overall control system
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
Enables accurate detection and correction of belt meandering, preventing color displacement and image distortion in image forming apparatuses, while reducing the apparatus's size and cost by using a single cam position detecting sensor and allowing for efficient alignment adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a cam position detecting sensor which has a detecting portion including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, the cam position detecting sensor detecting the amount of driving of the cam based on the number of slits of the pulse disk that have passed through the detecting portion
Implementation Method 2
the cam position detecting sensor detecting the home position of the cam based on the timing with which the home position detecting member shields the detecting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A cam driving mechanism has: a cam; a motor which drives the cam; a gear train which transmits, while reducing the speed of, the output of the motor to the cam; a pulse disk which is formed integrally with a gear coupled in the gear train and in which a plurality of slits are formed at equal intervals; a home position detecting member which is arranged coaxially with the pulse disk so as to be rotatable independently thereof and which, by meshing with another gear coupled in the gear train, rotates at a lower rotation speed than the pulse disk; and a cam position detecting sensor which has a detecting portion including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, the cam position detecting sensor detecting the amount of driving of the cam based on the number of slits of the pulse disk that have passed through the detecting portion, the cam position detecting sensor detecting the home position of the cam based on the timing with which the home position detecting member shields the detecting portion.