Printer Tray Position Detection via Drive Load and Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses require multiple sensors to detect various position states of movable trays, leading to increased complexity and parts, making it difficult to efficiently control and manage tray positions.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a movable medium accommodating section, a sensor to identify its position, a driving section to move the tray between setting and supplying positions, and a control section to detect positions by monitoring the drive load and sensor states, allowing for fewer sensors to detect multiple position states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect various position states of movable trays, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions by detecting different states (engaged/disengaged, tray presence/absence) through one sensor element, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each position state and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detecting section with a lever mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates multiple tray position states into distinct sensor signals, allowing one sensor to indirectly detect multiple position states through mechanical state transformation
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed to detect tray positions, then control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor detects multiple critical states (tray engagement, tray presence, position states) through one detection element, reducing the complexity of sensor management and troubleshooting while maintaining reliable control through comprehensive state monitoring
3Loss of information
If more sensors are used to detect all position states, then information completeness is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
One sensor element provides complete position state information by detecting multiple states through different engagement conditions, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and thereby reducing parts quantity while maintaining information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detecting section with its lever mechanism acts as an intermediary that converts multiple physical tray states into distinct sensor activation states, ensuring complete information capture about tray positions without requiring multiple separate sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a first sensor configured to identify a section to be identified of a movable tray. A computer in the printer drives a motor in a direction where the movable tray heads to a supplying position and stops driving the motor when an impact, where the drive load on the motor exceeds a threshold due to the movable tray hitting a separating mechanism which is at the supplying position, is detected. In addition, the computer drives the motor in a direction where the movable tray heads to a setting position, and stops driving the motor and arranges the movable tray at the setting position when the first sensor is on due to the section to be identified being identified.