Paper Feeder Speed Control for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper feeders in high-throughput image forming apparatuses generate loud collision noise and damage due to high-speed sheet conveyance, and previous noise reduction methods either fail to adequately reduce noise or increase apparatus size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A paper feeder with a controller that sets and adjusts conveying speeds to decelerate the paper feed roller from a first speed to a second, slower speed, ensuring the sheet hits the resist roller at the predetermined slower speed, reducing noise while maintaining throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the paper feed roller conveys the sheet at high speed to maintain throughput, then the productivity is improved, but the collision noise and sheet damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of the optimal deceleration timing based on the sheet size and conveying speed before the sheet reaches the resist roller. This allows the system to prepare the deceleration profile in advance, ensuring the sheet hits the resist roller at the optimal slower speed without compromising the overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The paper feed roller's conveying speed is dynamically adjusted during the sheet conveyance process. The controller changes the rotation speed from the initial high speed to a lower speed at the optimal timing, creating a variable speed profile that reduces collision noise while maintaining productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the conveying speed is reduced to lower collision noise, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates in advance the optimal timing to start deceleration based on sheet dimensions and initial conveying speed. This preliminary planning ensures the sheet reaches the resist roller at the optimal moment with reduced speed, minimizing noise while maintaining efficient throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation speed parameter of the paper feed roller is changed dynamically during operation. The controller adjusts the speed parameter from high to low at the calculated optimal timing, achieving noise reduction without sacrificing throughput.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a shock absorbing material or noise isolation cover is added to reduce collision noise, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding physical shock absorbing materials or noise isolation covers, the invention replaces these mechanical solutions with a control-based system. The controller adjusts the rotation speed of the paper feed roller dynamically, substituting mechanical noise reduction methods with a more elegant control approach that reduces both noise and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A paper feeder includes a resist roller configured to convey a sheet to an image formation unit, a paper feed roller configured to convey a sheet to the resist roller, and a controller configured to control the paper feed roller such that the paper feed roller first conveys a sheet at a first conveying speed and then conveys the sheet while decelerating from the first conveying speed to a second conveying speed slower than the first conveying speed. The controller sets the first and second conveying speeds in advance to speeds which allow the paper feed roller to convey a single sheet by a predetermined conveying amount in a predetermined driving time period. The controller determines a time point to start a deceleration from the first conveying speed to the second conveying speed to allow a sheet to hit the resist roller at the second conveying speed.