Drying Apparatus Roller Rotation Detection for Conveyance Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In drying apparatuses for inkjet image forming systems, medium conveyance failures are difficult to detect quickly after the leading end of a long medium is discharged, leading to delayed detection of medium stay in the drying chamber.

Innovation Solution

A drying apparatus equipped with a conveying device, heating device, conveying rollers pair, driving roller rotation detection part, and control part, where the control part stops the heating device if the rotation period of the driven roller exceeds a reference period, allowing for timely detection of medium conveyance failures and preventing medium stay in the high-temperature environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical sensors are used to detect medium conveyance failure, then detection capability is provided, but detection speed is slow after the leading end of a long medium is discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddetection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical sensor-based detection with a mechanical detection system using rotation detection parts on the conveying rollers. This mechanical detection method directly monitors roller rotation to determine medium conveyance status, providing immediate detection without the delays inherent in optical sensor systems, especially after the leading end of a long medium is discharged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the heating device operates continuously under high temperature, then drying efficiency is maintained, but medium damage risk increases if conveyance failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidmedium damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where rotation detection parts continuously monitor the conveying rollers' rotation status. When medium conveyance failure is detected (indicated by abnormal roller rotation patterns), the system automatically stops the heating device. This feedback mechanism maintains high drying efficiency during normal operation while preventing medium damage through automatic shutdown when conveyance problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by continuously monitoring roller rotation before medium damage can occur. The rotation detection parts identify conveyance failures in advance, allowing the heating device to be stopped proactively, preventing the harmful effect of prolonged high-temperature exposure on stuck media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Measurement precision

If rotation detection parts are added to conveying rollers, then conveyance failure detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance failure detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the conveying rollers multi-functional by equipping them with both conveying function and rotation detection function. The same rollers that transport the medium also serve as the detection mechanism through their rotation patterns, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate and rapid detection of medium stoppage and reduced conveying speed, immediately stopping the heating device to prevent medium stay in the high-temperature environment, ensuring efficient drying and preventing potential damage.

Implementation Method 1

a driving roller rotation detection part that detects a rotating of the driving roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation detection:

Implementation Method 2

a driven roller rotation detection part that detects a rotating of the driven roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation detection:

Implementation Method 3

a heating device that dries the ink of the medium conveyed by the conveying device under a high temperature environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240408900A1Drying apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A drying apparatus includes a conveying device, a heating device, a conveying rollers pair, a driving roller rotation detection part, a driven roller rotation detection part, and a control part. The conveying device conveys a medium in a conveyance direction. The heating device dries the ink of the medium under a high temperature environment. The conveying rollers pair is disposed on a downstream side of the heating device, and includes a driving roller and a driven roller. The driving roller rotation detection part detects a rotating of the driving roller. The driven roller rotation detection part detects a rotating of the driven roller. The control part stops the heating device when the rotating of the driving roller is detected by the driving roller rotation detection part and a rotation period obtained by a detection result of the driven roller rotation detection part is longer than a reference rotation period.