Paper Feeder Tray Lowering Control for Replenishment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper feeder systems either uniformly lower the paper feed tray to a certain stop position regardless of the paper quantity, leading to longer replenishment times, or require manual operation, which is inefficient and prone to inaccurate positioning, resulting in excessive lowering and longer times to raise/lower the tray.

Innovation Solution

A paper feeder system controlled by a processor that adjusts the lowering amount of the paper feed tray based on the number of sheets to be replenished, ensuring the tray is lowered only by the necessary amount, thereby optimizing the time required for raising and lowering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the paper feed tray is uniformly lowered to a certain stop position regardless of the number of sheets to be replenished, then the paper replenishment operation is simplified, but the time for raising/lowering the paper feed tray increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper replenishment operationVSAvoidtime for raising/lowering paper feed tray

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The paper feed tray lowering operation is changed from a static fixed-position movement to a dynamic variable-position movement. The lowering amount is adjusted dynamically based on the detected number of sheets to be replenished, allowing the tray to stop at different positions along its travel path rather than always moving to a predetermined stop position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The key parameter changed is the lowering amount of the paper feed tray. Instead of using a fixed lowering distance to a predetermined stop position, the system varies the lowering amount as a parameter based on the number of sheets to be replenished, optimizing the tray position for each replenishment scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the paper feed tray is manually raised/lowered when replenishing paper, then the operation can be performed flexibly, but the positioning accuracy decreases and the tray is lowered more than needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation flexibilityVSAvoidstop position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback through the sheet detection sensor that detects the number of sheets to be replenished. This detection information is fed back to the control unit, which then calculates and controls the appropriate lowering amount, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment. The sheet detection sensor automatically detects the number of sheets needed, and the control unit automatically calculates and executes the appropriate lowering amount without requiring manual intervention or estimation by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11661292B2Paper feeder, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A paper feeder includes a processor configured to, in a case of lowering a paper feed tray on which paper is placed in an accommodation section that accommodates paper and replenishing paper, the paper feed tray being controlled to be raised/lowered in a case of replenishing paper, control a lowering amount of the paper feed tray according to a number of sheets of paper to be replenished.