Guide-Path Sheet Identification for Accurate Surface Property Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet identification systems in image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the type of sheet inserted by a user, particularly when the sheet is not properly positioned, leading to poor measurement precision and potential malfunctions during image formation.
Innovation Solution
The identification apparatus employs a guide member with upstream and downstream detection portions to initiate and complete surface property measurements of the sheet, ensuring dynamic scanning and accurate data collection by using optical and ultrasonic sensors to detect sheet presence and movement, thereby improving measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user manually inserts the sheet into the image forming apparatus, then the sheet type identification can be performed, but the sheet may not be correctly inserted leading to poor measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member defines a guide path that preliminarily positions the sheet in the correct orientation and location before measurement. The guide path ensures that when the user inserts the sheet, it automatically follows the predetermined trajectory, preventing incorrect insertion and ensuring the sheet passes through the measurement region properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary between the user's insertion action and the measurement process. It mediates by physically guiding the sheet along a defined path, ensuring proper positioning without requiring the user to manually adjust the sheet's position or orientation.
2Measurement precision
If the sheet is scanned at the same position when the sheet does not move, then the measurement can be completed, but the measurement data becomes insufficient leading to poor measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static measurement approach (scanning at the same position) to a dynamic approach where the sheet moves through the guide path. The scanning portion scans the sheet as it moves along the guide path, collecting measurement data from multiple positions, which improves both precision and reliability of the measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process extends from a single-point static measurement to a multi-point measurement along the guide path dimension. The sheet's movement through the guide path introduces a spatial dimension to the measurement, allowing data collection from multiple locations along the sheet's surface.
3Productivity
If the sheet type is not correctly identified, then the image formation can proceed, but the image formation may fail due to inappropriate settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using detection portions to monitor the sheet's presence and movement through the guide path. Based on this feedback, the control unit determines whether measurement is complete and whether the sheet type has been successfully identified, allowing the system to adjust or repeat the measurement process if necessary before proceeding with image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet type identification and measurement processes are performed as preliminary actions before image formation begins. The guide path and detection portions ensure that measurement is completed and verified before the image formation process starts, preventing failures due to incorrect sheet type settings.
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
This approach enhances the precision of sheet type identification by ensuring dynamic scanning and accurate data collection, reducing the likelihood of erroneous sheet type identification and minimizing image formation failures.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor that detects a sheet by allowing the sheet to pass between a light source and the optical sensor
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic sensor that detects the sheet by allowing the sheet to pass between a ultrasonic wave transmitter and a ultrasonic wave receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An identification apparatus includes a guide member defining a guide path, a scanning portion that scans the sheet inserted in the guide path, a first detection portion disposed upstream of the scanning portion in an insertion direction of the sheet in the guide path that detects presence/absence of the sheet, and a second detection portion disposed downstream of the scanning portion in the insertion direction in the guide path and detects presence/absence of the sheet. The identification apparatus is configured to start measurement of a surface property of the sheet by the scanning portion in response to a change in a detection result of one of the first detection portion or the second detection portion, and complete the measurement in response to a change in a detection result whichever of the first detection portion or the second detection portion not used in determining the start of the measurement.