Curved Sheet Conveyance for Transparent-Sheet Jam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying systems inaccurately detect transparent sheets like OHP sheets due to narrow detectable angles, leading to erroneous sheet jam determinations and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
Implement a sheet conveying device with a curved conveyance passage and a conveyance sensor disposed at a curved position, where the processing circuitry temporarily halts sheet jam determination upon detecting the leading end of a transparent sheet, resuming only after the trailing end passes the sensor, ensuring continuous conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is used to detect the leading end of a transparent sheet, then sheet jam detection is enabled, but erroneous sheet jam determination occurs due to narrow detectable angle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of transparent sheets using a transparent sheet determination unit that detects sheet type before the sensor detection phase. When a transparent sheet is identified, the system activates a deactivation period mechanism in advance, preventing erroneous jam determinations before they can occur during the critical sensor detection window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a deactivation period mechanism as an intermediary between the sensor detection system and the jam determination logic. This intermediary layer temporarily suspends jam determination functionality during the period when the transparent sheet passes through the sensor, preventing direct erroneous detection while maintaining normal operation.
2Reliability
If sheet jam determination is continuously active, then real-time jam detection is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to erroneous determinations
Solution Approach 1:
The jam determination functionality is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts its state based on sheet type detection: for transparent sheets, the determination function is temporarily deactivated during the passage period, while for other sheet types it remains active. This dynamic adjustment maintains productivity by preventing erroneous determinations without sacrificing real-time detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic deactivation of jam determination during specific time intervals when transparent sheets pass through the sensor. The deactivation period is calculated based on sheet conveyance speed and sensor position, creating a rhythmic pattern of detection and suspension that prevents erroneous determinations while maintaining overall system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a conveyor, a curved conveyance passage, a conveyance sensor, and processing circuitry. The conveyor conveys a sheet. The sheet is conveyed by the conveyor along the curved conveyance passage. The conveyance sensor detects a presence of the sheet and is disposed at a curved position of the conveyance passage. The processing circuitry determines clogging of the sheet from an output result of the conveyance sensor. When a specific type of the sheet is conveyed, the processing circuitry stops determination of clogging of the sheet for a period of time from when the conveyance sensor detects passage of a leading end of the sheet to when a trailing end of the sheet passes the conveyance sensor.