Pressing Member Segmentation for Optical Surface Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately capturing the surface properties of recording materials due to damage to light transmissive members caused by pressing forces, leading to reduced accuracy in determining the recording material type and surface smoothness.
Innovation Solution
A recording material image capture device with a pressing member that has a non-contact region and a contact region, where the non-contact region is designed to prevent damage to the light transmissive member, and the contact region is used to press the recording material, minimizing abrasion and maintaining high accuracy in surface property determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the recording material is pressed against the light transmissive member to suppress flaps, then the surface flatness is improved, but the light transmissive member is damaged due to repeated rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is divided into two functional regions: a contact region that contacts the recording material to suppress flaps, and a non-contact region that does not contact the recording material to avoid damage to the light transmissive member. This segmentation allows the pressing member to perform its function while protecting the optical component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pressing member have different contact characteristics: the contact region provides pressing force to suppress flaps, while the non-contact region maintains a gap to prevent abrasion on the light transmissive member. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between suppressing flaps and protecting the optical component.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressing force is increased to suppress flaps, then the surface flatness is improved, but the damage to the light transmissive member is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is segmented into contact and non-contact regions, allowing sufficient pressing force to be applied to the recording material for flap suppression while preventing the transmission of excessive force to the light transmissive member, thus reducing abrasion damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member acts as an intermediary between the recording material and the light transmissive member. The non-contact region of the pressing member serves as a protective buffer that prevents direct transmission of abrasive forces to the light transmissive member while still enabling effective pressing of the recording material.
3Strength
If the light transmissive member is damaged, then the structural integrity is reduced, but the image capture accuracy is reduced due to increased irregular reflection
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressing member into contact and non-contact regions, the design prevents damage to the light transmissive member while maintaining the integrity of the optical path, ensuring continuous high-accuracy image capture without degradation from abrasion-related irregular reflections.
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 solution effectively suppresses flaps of the recording material and prevents damage to the light transmissive member, ensuring high accuracy in determining the recording material type and surface smoothness while maintaining the integrity of the optical system.
Implementation Method 1
an image capture unit receiving the light which is radiated from the light radiating unit and is reflected on a surface of the recording material
Implementation Method 2
a light transmissive member provided between the image capture unit and the recording material to which the light is radiated from the light radiating unit so that the light reflected on the surface of the recording material passes through the light transmissive member
Data Source
AI summary
A recording material image capture device includes light sources radiating light to a recording material, an image capture element receiving the light which is reflected on a surface of the recording material, a cover member provided between the image capture element and the recording material so that the reflected light passes through the cover member, a roller pressing the recording material toward the cover member, and an output portion outputting, based on an image captured by the image capture element, a value related to the recording material to which the light is radiated. The roller is a rotating member which rotates along with movement of the recording material, and the roller includes a recess portion which is prevented from contacting with an entire portion corresponding to the image used for determining the recording material, and projecting portions which are brought into contact with the recording material.