Paper Conveyance Abnormal Sound Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper conveying apparatuses often erroneously detect jams due to sounds generated by the apparatus itself, leading to incorrect jam detection.

Innovation Solution

A paper conveying apparatus and method that determines whether an abnormal sound has occurred based on sound signals before the paper conveying operation, allowing for the invalidation of jam detection by sound and thus suppressing erroneous jam detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If jam detection is performed based on sound generated during paper conveyance, then jam detection speed is improved, but false detection due to apparatus-generated sound increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejam detection timeVSAvoidjam detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting abnormal sounds during the startup phase before paper conveyance begins. The control unit determines whether an abnormal sound has occurred based on sound signals captured in the startup period, and only then enables or disables jam detection based on sound. This preliminary detection prevents false jam detection during actual conveyance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring sound signals during startup and using this information to dynamically control the jam detection function. The control unit feedback-adjusts the jam detection state based on whether abnormal sounds are detected during startup, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sound monitoring is continuously performed during paper conveyance, then jam detection capability is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejam detection capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the operational phases into startup phase and conveyance phase. Sound monitoring is performed during the startup phase, and the results are used to determine whether jam detection should be enabled or disabled during conveyance. This segmentation reduces the need for continuous complex monitoring throughout all operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The apparatus effectively prevents incorrect jam detection by identifying abnormal sounds and notifying users, enabling them to determine if a jam has occurred accurately, thereby reducing false alarms and maintaining proper operation.

Implementation Method 1

a sound signal generator 141...converts the sound which is generated on the conveyance path to an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound to electrical signal conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2708953B1Paper conveying apparatus, abnormality detection method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 PFU LTD
  • EP2708953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2708953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paper conveying apparatus (100) including a sound signal generator (141), provided with a sound detector (113) near a conveyance path of paper, for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector (153) for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal output during a paper conveying operation, a control module (151) for performing abnormal processing when the sound jam detector (153) determines that the jam has occurred, and an abnormal sound detector (157) for determining whether an abnormal sound has been generated based on the sound signal output before a paper conveying operation.