Feeder Actuator with Reflective Surface for Sheet Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording medium identifying devices face reduced detection accuracy due to vibrations of the recording medium during conveyance, making it difficult to measure the thickness or stiffness of sheets with stability.
Innovation Solution
A feeder system with a pivotable actuator having a first leg that abuts the sheet and a second leg with a reflective surface, which ensures that reflected energy enters a receiver regardless of the actuator's pivotal movement, allowing for accurate measurement of sheet thickness or stiffness based on the intensity of the reflected energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a medium sensor is used to detect the amount of sag of a trailing end of a recording medium, then the detection of sheet characteristics is enabled, but the detection accuracy is reduced due to vibrations of the recording medium during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary device between the sheet and the measurement system. The actuator includes a first leg that contacts the sheet and a second leg with a reflective surface that interacts with space-propagating energy. This intermediary structure allows indirect measurement of sheet characteristics while avoiding direct contact between the sensor and the vibrating sheet, thereby improving measurement stability and accuracy despite sheet vibrations during conveyance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is made pivotable to follow sheet variations, then adaptability to different sheet conditions is improved, but the consistency of energy reflection for measurement is threatened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the reflective surface on the second leg of the actuator such that it interacts with space-propagating energy in a dimension perpendicular to the pivotal movement plane. The reflective surface is oriented to face the energy source and receiver in a direction that remains effective even as the actuator pivots to accommodate sheet variations. This spatial arrangement ensures that the reflected energy consistently enters the receiver regardless of the actuator's angular position, maintaining measurement precision while preserving adaptability
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 system provides stable and accurate measurement of sheet thickness or stiffness, improving detection accuracy by ensuring consistent reflection of energy regardless of the actuator's position, even in curved conveyance paths.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver receives a reflected energy obtained by reflection of the space propagating energy. The reflective surface is formed so that the reflected energy obtained by the reflection of the space propagating energy on the reflective surface enters the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder includes a conveyance path, a conveyance roller that conveys a sheet along the conveyance path, a transmitter that emits a space propagating energy, a receiver that receives a reflected energy obtained by reflection of the space propagating energy, and an actuator mounted pivotably on a pivot shaft and including first and second legs extending in different directions from the pivot shaft. The first leg is disposed to extend to the conveyance path and abut against the sheet being conveyed along the conveyance path. The second leg has a reflective surface crossing a path of the space propagating energy. The actuator is pivoted by abutment of the sheet against the first leg. The reflective surface is formed so that the reflected energy obtained by the reflection of the space propagating energy on the reflective surface enters the receiver regardless of an angle of pivotal movement of the actuator.