Recording Medium Conveyance Load Estimation for U-Shape Guide Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recording medium conveying devices face accuracy issues due to back tension caused by deformation of the recording medium into a U-shape, which affects the precision of conveying, especially when the thickness of the medium is not accurately estimated until after conveying has started.
Innovation Solution
A recording medium conveying device that includes a feeding roller, a conveying guide to shape the medium into a U-shape, a conveying roller, a driving unit, and a controller that estimates the conveyance load before the medium reaches the conveying roller, allowing for precise operation adjustments based on the estimated load to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the recording medium is conveyed through a U-shaped conveying guide, then the recording medium can be fed from a different direction, but back tension is generated due to deformation which deteriorates conveying accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system estimates the conveyance load (back tension) before the recording medium reaches the conveying roller and generates a compensated operation amount for the driving unit. This preliminary compensation counteracts the back tension effect before it fully impacts the conveying accuracy, resolving the contradiction between using a U-shaped guide for flexibility and maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the thickness of the recording medium is estimated by detecting the peak value of driving current, then the conveying roller can be controlled according to medium thickness, but the peak value can only be detected after conveying has started
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the conveyance load during the feeding phase (before the recording medium reaches the conveying roller) using the feeding roller's driving current. This allows the conveying roller to be pre-configured with the appropriate operation amount, eliminating the delay of waiting for peak current detection after conveying starts.
3Device complexity
If the conveying roller waits for peak current detection before adjusting operation, then the control system remains simple, but conveying accuracy is deteriorated during the delay period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of conveyance load during the feeding phase using the feeding roller's driving current characteristics. This allows the conveying roller to be pre-configured with compensated operation parameters before actual conveying begins, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time control systems during the conveying phase.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording medium conveying device includes a feeding roller that feeds a recording medium, a conveying guide that guides the recording medium fed by the feeding roller in a U-shape, a conveying roller that conveys the recording medium passing through the conveying guide toward a target position, a driving unit that drives the feeding roller and the conveying roller, and a controller that is operable to estimate a conveyance load borne on the recording medium at a time after a start of feeding the recording medium and before an arrival of the record medium at the conveying roller, and generate an operation amount of the driving unit to drive the conveying roller based on the estimated conveyance load.