Capacitor Multi-Functionality for Paper Jam Notification in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus configurations for notifying the position of a recording medium jam are costly due to the need for additional capacitors to power LEDs when the drawer unit is pulled out.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a conveyance unit that includes sensors and light sources, a controller to determine the position of a paper jam, and a capacitor to stabilize voltage for the motor, allowing the light sources to glow using accumulated power when the unit is pulled out, eliminating the need for a separate capacitor for the LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional capacitor is provided for the LED in the drawer unit, then the LED can glow to notify the position of the recording medium, but the circuit scale becomes larger and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making the capacitor serve dual purposes: first as a voltage stabilization component for the motor during operation, and second as a power storage component for the LED notification after the drawer unit is pulled out. This eliminates the need for a separate capacitor dedicated to the LED, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining notification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage stabilization function and the LED power storage function into a single capacitor component. By combining these two previously separate functions into one component, the circuit scale is reduced and the overall device complexity is lowered, while still achieving both voltage stabilization during operation and LED notification after extraction.
2Reliability
If an additional capacitor is provided for the LED in the drawer unit, then the LED can glow to notify the position of the recording medium, but the cost of the image forming apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making the capacitor serve dual purposes: first as a voltage stabilization component for the motor during operation, and second as a power storage component for the LED notification after the drawer unit is pulled out. This eliminates the need for a separate capacitor dedicated to the LED, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining notification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage stabilization function and the LED power storage function into a single capacitor component. By combining these two previously separate functions into one component, the circuit scale is reduced and the overall device complexity is lowered, while still achieving both voltage stabilization during operation and LED notification after extraction.
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 configuration reduces costs by utilizing the capacitor for voltage stabilization and powering the light sources, effectively notifying the user of a paper jam without additional components, while also prolonging LED life by consuming stored power only when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor configured to reduce fluctuation of a voltage supplied from the power source via the connector to a motor configured to drive the conveyance roller
Implementation Method 2
an LED on a drawer unit glows to notify the user of the position of a recording medium remaining in the conveyance path of the drawer unit pulled out from the image forming apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a connector, a conveyance unit, and a controller. The conveyance unit includes first and second sensors, first and second light sources, and a capacitor. Based on the first and second sensors, the controller determines a position of a paper jam having occurred during an image formation job. The first light source is turned-on when the position of the paper jam corresponds to a position of the first sensor and the second light source is turned-on when the position of the paper jam corresponds to a position of the second sensor. When the conveyance unit is pulled out of the image forming apparatus, the connector shuts off the electrical connection between the conveyance unit and a power source, and a light source controlled to turn on by the controller glows based on electric power accumulated in the capacitor during the image formation job.