Optical Sensor Arrangement for Medium Ejection Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium ejection apparatuses face challenges in precisely determining abnormal ejection events such as curling, non-falling edges, flying out, or changes in the order of media, leading to potential jamming and increased user effort in reordering.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a system with first and second optical sensors above the ejection roller to emit and receive light signals, allowing for precise determination of abnormal ejection based on signal patterns and processing these signals to execute appropriate control actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a medium ejection apparatus ejects media continuously without detection, then productivity is improved, but abnormal ejection occurs leading to jamming and medium damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions optical sensors upstream before the ejection roller to detect media abnormalities (curling, bending, flying out) before they cause jamming or damage. This preliminary detection allows the system to identify abnormal ejection in advance while maintaining continuous high-speed operation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to detect abnormal ejection precisely, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple optical sensors positioned at different locations (upstream and downstream of the ejection roller). Each sensor detects specific abnormal conditions at its position, and the control unit integrates these segmented detection results to achieve comprehensive and precise abnormal ejection detection without requiring a single complex sensor system.
3Reliability
If ejection speed is reduced to prevent abnormal ejection, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where optical sensors continuously monitor media ejection status and provide real-time signals to the control unit. When abnormal ejection is detected, the control unit adjusts ejection parameters or stops ejection temporarily. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high ejection speeds during normal operation while preventing abnormalities through real-time monitoring and adjustment.
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
Enables prompt detection and handling of abnormal ejections, preventing jamming and reducing user effort by accurately identifying issues and adjusting the ejection process accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical sensor located above the ejection roller and including a first light emitter to emit light toward the tray and a first light receiver to generate a first optical signal based on received light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a medium ejection apparatus, a control method, and a control program to enable precise determination of whether abnormal ejection of a medium has occurred. A medium ejection apparatus includes an ejection roller to eject a medium, a tray to stack the medium ejected by the ejection roller, a first optical sensor located above the ejection roller and including a first light emitter to emit light toward the tray and a first light receiver to generate a first optical signal based on received light, a second optical sensor located above the ejection roller and including a second light emitter to emit light toward a downstream side of the tray in a medium ejecting direction and a second light receiver to generate a second optical signal based on received light, a determination module to determine whether abnormal ejection of the medium has occurred based on the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and a control module to execute abnormality processing when it is determined that abnormal ejection of the medium has occurred.