Medium Conveying Lift Sensing for Bound Media Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium conveying apparatuses often damage bound media when separating stacked sheets due to inadequate detection methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a lift sensor between the pick and separation rollers to detect medium lift, determining bound media by processing signals from arrival and lift sensors, and executing abnormality processing to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact segment is used to detect bound media by pushing up when media bend during separation, then bound media detection capability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex and detection reliability is reduced due to mechanical wear and false triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact segment detection system with an optical detection system. The optical sensor detects bound media through non-contact measurement of medium properties (such as reflectivity or transmission changes) as the medium passes through the detection region, eliminating mechanical wear and structural complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the detection system and the bound media. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the optical sensor detects changes in light interaction (reflection, absorption, or transmission) caused by the bound media's physical properties, providing indirect but reliable detection without mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If bound media are not detected accurately, then conveyance processing continues without interruption, but media damage and jamming occur reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical sensor continuously monitors the medium during conveyance. When bound media is detected through optical property changes, the system immediately sends a stop signal to the conveyance mechanism, preventing media damage and jamming while maintaining high productivity through rapid detection and response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs bound media detection before the media reaches the separation zone. By detecting bound media early in the conveyance path using optical sensors, the system can preemptively stop the conveyance process, preventing potential damage before it occurs and maintaining productivity by avoiding interruptions from damage-related failures.
3Reliability
If optical sensors are used for non-contact detection of bound media, then device complexity is reduced and reliability is improved, but detection precision may be insufficient for subtle medium variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple optical sensors with different detection functions (e.g., reflectivity sensors, transmission sensors, or wavelength-specific sensors) working together. This multi-functional optical detection system can detect various subtle variations in bound media properties, achieving high precision while maintaining the reliability benefits of non-contact optical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple optical detection methods or sensor types into a unified detection system. By merging different optical sensing approaches (such as combining reflectivity and transmission measurements), the system achieves enhanced detection precision for subtle medium variations while maintaining the overall reliability and simplicity of non-contact optical detection.
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
Accurate detection of bound media prevents damage and jamming, enhancing user convenience and reducing processing time by stopping conveyance when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a lift sensor detecting a lift of a medium between an upstream side of a roller nip of the pick roller and a downstream side of a roller nip of the separation roller
Data Source
AI summary
A medium conveying apparatus includes a pick roller feeding a medium, a separation roller placed on a downstream side of the pick roller in a conveying direction of a medium, an arrival detection sensor placed on a downstream side of the separation roller in the conveying direction and detecting arrival of a medium, a lift sensor detecting a lift of a medium between an upstream side of a roller nip of the pick roller and a downstream side of a roller nip of the separation roller, and a processor. The processor determines that a medium is a bound medium when a lift of a medium is detected by the lift sensor in a first predetermined period after detection of a front edge of a medium in a conveying direction by the arrival detection sensor, and executes abnormality processing when a medium is determined to be a bound medium.