Conveyance Part Lifetime Estimation Using Sheet Transit Time
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the lifetime of conveyance parts in image forming apparatuses are inaccurate due to reliance on indirect indicators like smoothness and basis weight of sheets, which do not consider conveyance time, leading to significant estimation errors for parts not involved in conveyance time measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the conveyance time of sheets by a first conveyance part and uses a detection unit to estimate the remaining lifetime of a second conveyance part, employing a correction coefficient based on the sheet's wear characteristics to accurately determine the degradation level of the second part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If smoothness and basis weight of sheets are used to estimate conveyance part lifetime, then the method does not require conveyance time measurement sensors, but the estimation accuracy is low due to indirect indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conveyance time as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the first conveyance part's operation and the second conveyance part's wear. By measuring how long sheets are conveyed by the first part, the system indirectly but accurately determines the usage conditions of the second part, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures conveyance time and uses this feedback to update the lifetime estimation of the second conveyance part. This closed-loop approach allows the estimation to adapt to actual usage patterns, improving accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple measurement setup.
2Measurement precision
If conveyance time is measured for a first conveyance part, then the measurement is straightforward, but the lifetime of a second conveyance part not involved in the measurement cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the conveyance time measurement system universal by establishing that the measured time from the first conveyance part can be applied to estimate the lifetime of the second conveyance part. This multi-functional approach allows a single measurement to serve multiple estimation purposes, enabling the system to monitor parts beyond those directly involved in the measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a first conveyance part conveys a sheet, a detection unit detects a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance part, a second conveyance part is provided downstream of the detection unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and conveys the sheet, a measurement unit measures a conveyance time of the sheet from when conveyance of the sheet by the first conveyance part is started until the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the detection unit, and an estimation unit estimates a remaining lifetime of the second conveyance part based on the conveyance time measured by the measurement unit.