Feeder Device Motor Control for Media Sheet Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional document feeding apparatuses struggle to accurately detect sheet feed errors and media type due to variations in paper thickness and type, leading to potential misclassification of errors and inadequate handling of different paper types.
Innovation Solution
A feeder device that monitors the electric power supplied to a motor, using a controller to adjust the power based on detected rotation and a monitor to obtain information about the media sheets, including determining the type and amount of sheets by analyzing changes in the motor's operational variables such as electric current, allowing for appropriate handling and printing mode selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a DC motor is used to drive the sheet supply roller, then the operating noise is relatively low, but the rotational velocity fluctuates due to electromagnetic wave disturbance and load variation
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback control system is implemented that compares the detected rotational velocity of the sheet supply roller with a reference value and supplies a variable control signal to the DC motor to maintain stable rotational velocity despite load variations and electromagnetic disturbances
2Reliability
If sheet feed error detection is performed by monitoring electric current supplied to the DC motor, then error detection capability is provided, but the load variation depending on paper sheet type causes erroneous determination
Solution Approach 1:
The detection method is changed from monitoring only electric current to monitoring the rotational velocity of the sheet supply roller. By detecting changes in rotational velocity rather than current, the system can accurately distinguish between normal load variations due to different paper types and actual sheet feed errors, eliminating erroneous determinations
3Reliability
If the load acting on the DC motor is monitored to detect sheet feed errors, then error detection is possible, but the load varies depending on paper sheet thickness and type leading to misclassification
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by continuously monitoring the rotational velocity of the sheet supply roller and comparing it with a reference value. This approach adapts to different paper types because it measures the actual rotational performance rather than inferring from load conditions, allowing accurate error detection across various paper thicknesses and types
Solution Approach 2:
The detection parameter is changed from electric current/load to rotational velocity. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate different paper types without misclassification, as rotational velocity directly reflects the actual feeding condition rather than being indirectly affected by paper properties
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 determination of media type and amount, preventing errors and ensuring appropriate printing operations by adjusting to different paper types and quantities, thereby enhancing the reliability of the document feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
a DC motor is used as a drive source for driving the sheet supply roller
Implementation Method 2
The load acting on the DC motor is fluctuated by a friction acting between the sheet supply roller and the recording paper sheet that are in contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder device for feeding media sheets along a feed path, including: (a) an accommodator for accommodating the media sheets; (b) a feed mechanism including (b-1) a roller that is to be held in contact with the media sheets accommodated in the accommodator and (b-2) a motor that is controllable based on a variable so as to rotate the roller, so that the media sheets can be fed along the feed path by the roller; (c) a detector operable to detect an amount of rotation of the roller or the motor; (d) a controller operable to adjust the variable on the basis of the amount of rotation detected by the detector such that feed movement of each media sheet can be achieved substantially as desired; (e) a monitor operable to monitor the variable that is adjusted by the controller; and (f) a media-related information obtainer operable to obtain information related to the media sheets fed by the feed mechanism, based on the actual value of the adjusted variable monitored by the monitor.