Inkjet Recording Apparatus Floating Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with detecting and addressing paper sheet floating during conveyance, leading to image quality deterioration, waste, and reduced productivity, as existing methods require stopping the conveyance process and are inefficient in processing speed due to the need to read and analyze entire paper sheets.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a paper sheet floating detecting device, an image reading device, and an image reading control unit that reads and analyzes only the specific region where floating is detected, allowing for efficient identification and adjustment of floating without stopping the conveyance process, using a combination of image reading, processing, and display controls to facilitate operator intervention or automated adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire paper sheet is read and analyzed to detect floating, then the floating can be detected, but the processing load increases and processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The paper sheet is divided into multiple regions (first region before floating detection position, second region at floating detection position, third region after floating detection position). The image reading device selectively reads only the second region where floating is detected, rather than reading the entire paper sheet. This segmentation approach reduces the processing load and increases processing speed while maintaining floating detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The essential information (floating status) is extracted from the paper sheet by reading only the specific region (second region) where floating is detected, rather than processing the entire paper sheet. This extraction principle reduces unnecessary data processing while preserving the ability to accurately detect floating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conveyance is stopped to adjust floating, then floating can be addressed, but waste sheets increase and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating adjustment capabilityVSAvoidconveyance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the paper sheet during conveyance using the floating detection device. When floating is detected in the second region, the system provides feedback by reading the image, displaying it to the operator, and enabling adjustment without stopping conveyance. This feedback mechanism allows real-time floating correction while maintaining continuous operation, reducing waste and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the inkjet heads are retreated to prevent contact with floating paper, then paper sheet damage is prevented, but recording efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinkjet head protectionVSAvoidrecording efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inkjet heads are designed to be movable along the conveyance direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of their position. When floating is detected, the heads can be retreated to prevent contact and damage. When no floating is present, the heads return to their recording positions to maintain recording efficiency. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between protection and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3141393B1Inkjet recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.01.17 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3141393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3141393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3141393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a paper floating detecting unit (147) which detects floating of a paper sheet (P) at a first position; an ink jet recording unit (145) which records an image on the paper sheet (P) at a second position on a downstream side of the first position; and an image reader (149) which reads the image on the paper sheet (P) at a third position on the downstream side of the second position. When the floating is detected by the paper floating detecting unit (147), the image in a fixed front and rear range of the paper sheet (P) is read by the image reader (149) with a position where the floating is detected as a reference. The read image is displayed on a display device. An operator confirms the image displayed on the display device (170), and discriminates the type of the generated floating.