Image Processing Device Conveying Mechanism Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-processing devices unnecessarily drive their conveying mechanisms to discharge residual sheets, leading to increased power consumption and performance degradation, even when no paper is detected in the paper-conveying path.
Innovation Solution
An image-processing device with a control program that only drives the conveying mechanism when a valid sheet is present, using sensors to determine the presence of residual sheets and adjusting the operation based on elapsed time to differentiate between residual and original sheets, thereby reducing unnecessary discharges and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveying mechanism is driven to discharge paper even when no paper is detected in the paper-conveying path, then residual sheets can be discharged, but power consumption increases and performance degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the paper detection sensor's output signal and uses this feedback to determine whether to drive the conveying mechanism. When the sensor detects no paper (signal indicates empty state), the control unit prevents unnecessary driving of the conveying mechanism, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to discharge residual sheets when paper is actually present
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of the conveying mechanism based on real-time paper detection conditions. The conveying mechanism transitions between active and inactive states according to the sensor feedback, optimizing power consumption by being active only when necessary for actual paper discharge operations
2Reliability
If the conveying mechanism is driven continuously to discharge residual sheets, then residual sheets are discharged, but the conveying mechanism experiences performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the paper detection sensor to determine when activating the conveying mechanism is necessary. By monitoring the sensor signal that indicates whether paper is present in the conveying path, the system activates the conveying mechanism only when actual discharge is needed, minimizing unnecessary mechanical operations and extending the conveying mechanism's service life
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously driving the conveying mechanism, the system applies partial action by activating it only when the sensor detects paper presence. This selective activation provides sufficient discharge capability when needed while avoiding excessive operations that would accelerate wear and performance degradation
3Loss of energy
If sensors and time-based detection are used to differentiate residual sheets from original sheets, then unnecessary discharges are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit processes feedback from the paper detection sensor and applies time-based logic to differentiate between residual sheets and original sheets. The sensor provides continuous feedback about paper presence, and the control unit uses elapsed time since the last discharge operation to determine whether detected paper represents a residual sheet or a new original sheet, thereby reducing unnecessary discharges through intelligent control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing paper detection sensor and control unit to automatically differentiate between residual and original sheets through time-based analysis. The control unit independently processes sensor feedback and makes discharge decisions without requiring additional specialized sensors or complex external systems, achieving energy waste reduction through self-service intelligent control
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveying path (22) extends from a set position in which the original sheet is set to a discharge position in which the original sheet is discharged from the image-processing device. A control unit (11) controls an image processing unit (24) such that the image processing unit does not execute an image processing relevant to an original sheet when an elapsed time is less than a reference time and such that the image processing unit executes the image processing relevant to the original sheet when the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the reference time. The elapsed time is time from a point of time that the control unit begins to drive a conveying mechanism (28) in response to a reception of the command by a command reception unit (11) until a point of time that a sensor (27) detects the original sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism at the detection position.