Guide Member Gap Adjustment for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with the positional relationship between paper and guide members due to detection errors, leading to gaps or improper alignment, which can cause print or paper feed failures.
Innovation Solution
A recording medium placement device with a guide member that moves orthogonally to the paper edge, equipped with a distance detection unit to calculate gap lengths and an adjustment unit to correct the guide member's position based on detected gaps, ensuring accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic control of guide members is implemented by detecting contact with paper, then the user operation is simplified, but detection errors cause inappropriate positional relationships between paper and guide members
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by moving guide members to predetermined positions before paper placement, and uses distance detection to calculate gaps before final adjustment. This preliminary positioning and gap calculation ensures accurate alignment while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting the gap between guide members and paper using distance detection units, calculating the gap length, and automatically adjusting guide member positions based on the calculated values. This closed-loop feedback eliminates detection errors and ensures precise positional relationships.
2Extent of automation
If guide members are stopped immediately upon contact detection, then the automation is achieved, but gaps or deflections occur due to detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are moved to predetermined positions as a preliminary action before final positioning. This preliminary movement to known positions, combined with subsequent gap calculation and adjustment, ensures reliable alignment while maintaining full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to continuously monitor the gap between guide members and paper, calculate the discrepancy, and adjust positions accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that guide members are positioned accurately without gaps or deflections, maintaining both automation and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If manual guide members are used, then the positional relationship can be adjusted precisely, but the operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting gaps, calculating required adjustments, and positioning guide members without user intervention. The automated system serves itself to achieve precise alignment, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high positional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated detection and control systems. Distance detection units and gap calculation algorithms substitute for manual measurement and positioning, achieving precise alignment while simplifying operation through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording medium placement device includes a placement unit in which a recording medium is placed; a guide member provided along an edge of the recording medium and movable in a first direction orthogonal to the edge, the edge being at a first position; a distance detection unit that detects a distance between the guide member and the edge; a drive unit that moves the guide member in the first direction until the distance detection unit detects that the guide member contacts the recording medium; a gap length calculation unit that calculates a length of a gap between the recording medium and the guide member when a movement of the guide member is stopped using a detection output from the distance detection unit; and an adjustment unit that moves the guide member to the edge at the first position based on the length of the gap.