Optical Paper Jam Detection via Grating Wheel Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional office apparatuses with paper jam detectors often cause interference or paper jams due to their design, which is inconvenient and inefficient in detecting paper feeding conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with a grating module, rollers, and a control unit that adjusts the position of a grating wheel relative to the housing based on media thickness, using light emission and reception to determine if media is moving at a predetermined speed, thereby detecting paper jams without interfering with the feeding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detector utilizes a cantilever arm or linkage to contact with paper for generating detection signals, then paper feeding conditions can be detected, but it causes interference of feeding or even paper jam conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based detection system (cantilever arm or linkage) with an optical detection system. The optical detector uses light transmission or reflection through or off the paper to generate detection signals, eliminating the need for mechanical contact between the detector and paper. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection capability while removing the source of paper jam interference caused by mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for detection. Instead of direct mechanical contact between the detector and paper, light serves as the intermediary that carries information about the paper's presence, position, or feeding condition. The optical detector measures light properties (transmission, reflection, absorption) to infer paper conditions without physical contact, thereby preventing paper jam interference while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional detector contacts paper mechanically to detect feeding conditions, then detection function is achieved, but it reduces ease of operation and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical detection system with a simpler optical system. The optical detector requires no mechanical adjustment, has fewer moving parts, and eliminates the need for precise mechanical positioning of cantilever arms or linkages. This substitution improves ease of operation by reducing device complexity and eliminating mechanical maintenance requirements while maintaining detection functionality.
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
Effectively prevents paper jam interference by accurately detecting paper jams through non-contact means, ensuring smooth media flow and reducing the likelihood of paper jams during the feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting component is for emitting light
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of apertures is formed on a periphery of the grating wheel at intervals, and the light emitted by the light emitting component passes through the plurality of apertures to the light receiving component
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of reflecting sections is formed on a periphery of the grating wheel at intervals, and the light emitted by the light emitting component is reflected to the light receiving component by the plurality of reflecting sections
Implementation Method 4
The light receiving component is for receiving the light emitted by the light emitting component to generate a corresponding sensing signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device includes a housing, a supporting component, a grating module, a first roller, a second roller, and a control unit. When a media contacts with the second roller, the second roller drives the first roller to move the supporting component relative to the housing according to a thickness of the media, so as to adjust positions of the first roller and a grating wheel of the grating module relative to the housing. When the media drives the second roller to rotate, the second roller drives the first roller to rotate the grating wheel. The control unit determines whether the media proceeds at a predetermined speed according to a corresponding sensing signal generated by the grating module during rotation of the grating wheel, which allows a user to recognize a progress state of the media.