Measurement Device Electrical Resistance Mode Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measurement devices for image forming apparatuses take longer to measure the electrical resistance of recording media when prioritizing the first mode over the second mode, leading to increased measurement time.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device with multiple modes for measuring electrical resistance, where the control unit prioritizes the second mode over the first mode, and executes additional measurement modes with increased sample counts or time when the resistance falls within specific ranges, allowing for more efficient and precise measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the first mode is prioritized over the second mode for measuring electrical resistance, then measurement precision for high-resistance recording media is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistance measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device dynamically switches between first mode (for high resistance values) and second mode (for low resistance values) based on the measured resistance value. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize measurement precision for different recording media types while minimizing measurement time by not always executing the time-consuming first mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes measurement parameters by switching between two distinct measurement modes with different resistance ranges. The control unit adjusts which mode to execute based on the measured value, effectively changing the measurement parameters to match the recording media characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement modes are executed to cover all recording media brands, then adaptability is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with multiple recording media brandsVSAvoidmeasurement throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial measurement action by selectively executing only the necessary measurement mode based on the measured resistance value. Instead of always executing both first mode and second mode for all recording media, the control unit determines the appropriate mode based on the measured value, reducing redundant measurements while maintaining compatibility with all recording media brands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the measurement unit always executes the first mode to ensure precision, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistance measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system dynamically adapts its operation by switching between first mode and second mode based on the measured resistance value. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain high measurement precision when needed (first mode for high resistance) while improving productivity by using the faster second mode for low resistance values, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4091824B1Measurement device and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4091824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4091824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4091824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measurement device (20) is provided with: a measurement unit (50) including a first mode that measures an electrical resistance of a recording medium used in an image forming apparatus in a first predetermined range of electrical resistance values and a second mode that measures the electrical resistance in a second range of electrical resistance values different from the first range, the second range and the first range being set such that with respect to the electrical resistance of multiple brands of recording media, a number of brands belonging to the second range is greater than a number of brands belonging to the first range; and a control unit that controls the measurement unit to prioritize execution of the second mode over the first mode.