Multi-Point Detector for Skew and Corner Fold Detection in Conveyors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately detect skew and corner folded portions in recording media, leading to errors in conveying and printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device equipped with a conveyor, a detector, and circuitry that detects skew and shift amounts of the recording medium's posture, and simultaneously detects end positions in the width direction at multiple points, allowing for the identification of corner folded portions and control of the conveyor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor unit detects errors with respect to width, center position, and side positions using a contact image sensor, then the image forming apparatus can identify positioning issues, but it cannot accurately detect corner folded portions and skew amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple detection units arranged in the conveyance direction, with each unit detecting end positions at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to detect skew amounts and corner folded portions by comparing measurements from different segments, resolving the limitation of single-point detection while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from detecting only width positions to detecting end positions at multiple points in the conveyance direction (adding a longitudinal dimension). This dimensional expansion enables the detection of skew amounts and corner folded portions by analyzing variations in end positions across different detection units, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity
2Measurement precision
If the detector detects end positions at only one or two points in the conveyance direction, then the device complexity is low, but the detection precision of skew and corner folded portions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses more detection points than the minimum two (employing three or more detection units), which provides redundant measurement data. This excessive action enables more robust detection of skew and corner folded portions through comparative analysis, improving precision while the systematic arrangement keeps the quantity of components manageable
3Reliability
If the conveyor operates without accurate detection of corner folded portions, then the conveying process is simple and fast, but errors occur in conveying and printing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The detector performs preliminary detection of corner folded portions and skew amounts before the conveying and printing processes. By identifying these issues in advance, the system can take corrective actions or adjust operations proactively, ensuring reliability without causing delays during the actual conveying process, thus maintaining productivity
4Adaptability or versatility
If the detector detects only width positions without detecting end positions at multiple points, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to detect skew and corner folded portions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is designed with multiple detection units that serve multiple functions: detecting end positions, calculating skew amounts, and identifying corner folded portions. This multi-functionality approach allows a single detector structure to handle various posture error detections, improving adaptability while avoiding the need for separate specialized devices for each detection task
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device includes a conveyor, a detector, and circuitry. The conveyor conveys a recording medium in a conveyance direction. The detector detects a skew amount and a shift amount of a posture of the recording medium to be sent to the conveyor and detects, in parallel, end positions of the recording medium in a width direction of the recording medium intersecting with the conveyance direction, at at least three different points in the conveyance direction on one end of the recording medium in the width direction. The circuitry controls an operation of the conveyor and causes the detector to detect a corner folded portion of the recording medium based on the end positions of the recording medium in the width direction detected at the at least three different points.