Paper Discharge Apparatus Motor Speed Control for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper-discharge apparatuses in image-forming devices face challenges in efficiently switching between multiple bin trays without incurring high manufacturing costs and minimizing mechanical stress and noise, particularly due to the need for multiple solenoids and the impact of rapid motor movements on guides and levers.
Innovation Solution
A paper-discharge apparatus that incorporates a paper-discharge-conveying unit, an introduction guide, an introduction lever, a contact member, a movement mechanism, and a control unit, where the introduction guide's posture is changed by a contact member moving on a continuous belt, allowing for controlled switching between discharge destinations with reduced mechanical stress and noise by adjusting motor speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple solenoids are used to switch between bin trays, then the switching function is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple solenoids are merged into a single motor-driven belt system. The motor rotates a pulley that moves a continuous belt with contact members, allowing one motor to perform the switching function that previously required multiple solenoids, thereby reducing part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A single motor serves multiple functions: it drives the belt to position contact members for different bin tray selections. This universal motor replaces multiple specialized solenoids, each dedicated to a specific switching action, enabling one component to perform multiple switching operations
2Productivity
If the motor rotates at high speed to improve productivity, then the switching speed increases, but mechanical stress and noise on guides and levers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The belt system is designed to cushion the impact between contact members and guides. The flexible belt material and its tensioning mechanism absorb shock and reduce mechanical stress on rigid components like guides and levers, preventing damage even during high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The motor rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on operational requirements. By optimizing the speed parameter, the system achieves high productivity when needed while reducing speed during positioning maneuvers to minimize mechanical stress and noise, thereby balancing performance with component protection
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a paper-discharge apparatus that suppresses operating sound of the paper-discharge apparatus. A contact member changes the posture of the introduction guide by coming in contact with the introduction lever and rotating the introduction lever. A control unit sets a state in which paper is introduced to the paper-discharge-conveying unit to a non-contact state of the introduction lever and contact member, and sets a state when conveyed paper is guided to another discharge destination to a contact state of the introduction lever and the contact member. The control unit rotates the motor at a first speed and moves the contact member, and brings the contact member in contact with the introduction lever after setting the rotating speed of the motor to a second speed that is slower than the first speed.