Discrimination Device Shutter for Dust Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with dust particles entering the housing through an open opening, which deteriorates the detection accuracy of recording medium characteristics, leading to potential image formation problems and user errors in inputting medium characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A discrimination device with a housing unit containing a light emitting and receiving unit, and a shutter that can switch between open and closed states to control the opening, reducing dust intrusion and improving accuracy by only opening during type discrimination and closing during multiple medium conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the opening is continuously kept opened to allow light transmission for detection, then the detection function can operate continuously, but dust particles enter the housing through the opening, deteriorating the detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddust particle intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is made movable between open and closed positions, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the opening state based on operational requirements. The shutter opens during detection to allow light transmission and closes during conveyance to prevent dust intrusion, resolving the contradiction between continuous detection and dust protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter operates periodically, opening only when detection is required and closing during other operations. This periodic opening-closing cycle allows the system to maintain detection accuracy when needed while preventing dust accumulation during conveyance and idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the opening is closed to prevent dust particles from entering the housing, then dust influence on optical devices is reduced, but light cannot be transmitted for recording medium detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust particle intrusionVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shutter provides dynamic control over the opening state, allowing the system to switch between closed (dust protection) and open (detection) states as needed. This resolves the contradiction by making the opening state conditional rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is positioned and configured to close the opening before dust intrusion becomes problematic, and opens before detection is required. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the opening is closed, dust is prevented, and when open, detection can proceed without obstruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the user manually inputs recording medium characteristics through the operation interface, then the system can obtain medium information, but the user's erroneous input may cause image deterioration or conveyance path blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoidinput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discrimination device automatically detects recording medium characteristics using optical detection, eliminating the need for manual user input. The system serves itself by autonomously acquiring medium information, thereby preventing user errors while maintaining adaptability to different medium types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical input method (user typing or selecting through operation interface) is replaced with an optical detection system. The light emitting and light receiving units automatically detect medium characteristics, substituting the mechanical user input process with an automated optical measurement system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If a light source and light detector are disposed inside a housing with an opening for detection, then automatic recording medium detection can be achieved, but dust particles generated from conveyed recording media enter the housing and influence optical devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detection capabilityVSAvoiddust particle intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter acts as an intermediary element between the external environment (conveyance path with dust) and the internal housing (optical devices). It mediates by selectively allowing or blocking dust entry based on operational state, protecting the automated detection system while enabling its function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively reduces dust influence on optical devices, enhancing detection accuracy and preventing image formation issues by controlling the opening state of the housing unit based on the conveyance of recording media, thus improving the reliability of image formation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The light emitted from the light source passes through the opening to be incident upon the recording medium. Further, the light is reflected from the recording medium so as to pass through the opening, and is then detected by the light detector.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A movable shutter is provided between the housing and the calibration plate. The movable shutter allows switching between the state where light can be applied to the calibration plate and the state where light cannot be applied to the calibration plate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11119434B2Discrimination device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a discrimination device that may serve to discriminate a type of a recording medium and may include: a housing unit provided with an opening so as to face a conveyance path on which the recording medium is conveyed; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are accommodated in the housing unit. The light emitting unit may be capable of emitting light toward the recording medium disposed so as to face the opening. The light receiving unit may be capable of receiving light reflected from the recording medium. The housing unit may include a shutter that allows switching between an opened state where the opening is opened and a closed state where the opening is closed.