Optical Sensor Positioning Structure for Paper Type Discrimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for paper-type discrimination face challenges in maintaining a fixed light irradiation point, leading to inaccuracies in measuring paper types due to variations in paper surface bumps and dips, which affects the precision of paper-type identification in image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor includes an abutment part and a wall with a first opening to emit light to the paper, and a first concave portion between the opening and the abutment part to position the paper accurately, ensuring precise light reflection measurement by accommodating paper irregularities and maintaining a consistent irradiation point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is emitted to measure paper type by reflection, then paper-type discrimination can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in paper surface bumps and dips causing misalignment of the irradiation point
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning structure comprising a positioning wall and positioning groove is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the paper surface. The positioning groove receives and stabilizes the paper sheet, ensuring that the light irradiation point remains consistent regardless of paper surface irregularities such as bumps and dips. This mediator structure eliminates the direct impact of surface variations on measurement reliability.
2Reliability
If an opening is formed on a plane at an angle to the incidence direction to fix the irradiating point, then irradiation point stability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is achieved by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar opening to a three-dimensional positioning structure with vertical walls and grooves. The positioning wall extends vertically from the base plane, and the positioning groove is formed as a recess in the positioning wall, creating a multi-dimensional constraint system that stabilizes the paper position more effectively than a simple angled opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning groove is designed with a curved bottom surface that conforms to the natural curvature of paper sheets. This curved geometry allows the groove to accommodate paper surface irregularities while maintaining consistent positioning, reducing the need for additional complex alignment mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If the irradiation point varies due to paper surface irregularities, then measurement time increases due to repeated measurements needed for accuracy, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning structure performs preliminary positioning of the paper sheet before the actual light measurement process. By pre-stabilizing the paper position and orientation through the positioning wall and groove, the system eliminates the need for repeated measurements to compensate for misalignment, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while improving processing speed.
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
This configuration enhances the accuracy of paper-type discrimination by reducing misalignment and stray light effects, allowing for precise measurement of reflection light intensities and surface conditions, thereby improving the identification of paper types and surface treatments.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensors that irradiate paper with light and use the reflection light from the paper to discriminate the type of the paper
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor including an abutment part configured to abut one edge of an object to be measured, a wall extending along a side of the object to be measured and having a first opening to pass light emitted to the object to be measured, and a first concave portion formed between the first opening and the abutment part on a side of the wall to position the object to be measured. A paper-type discrimination device including the optical sensor, and a controller configured to discriminate a paper type of the object using the reflection light from the object measured by the optical sensor. An image forming apparatus including the optical sensor or the paper-type discrimination device.