Roll Paper Feeding Device with Offset Sensor and Roller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper feeding devices struggle to accurately detect the roll end of roll paper, especially when the surface of the paper tube is rough or when foreign matters are present, leading to potential paper jam and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A paper feeding device equipped with a sensor and a roller, arranged offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the roll paper, which detects level differences at the end of the roll paper and controls the rotation of the roll paper based on sensor signals to accurately identify the paper tube and roll end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a sensor directly detects the thickness of the roll paper to identify the roll end, then the detection speed is improved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the surface of the paper tube is rough or foreign matters are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A roller is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor and the roll paper. The roller contacts the roll paper surface and rotates, allowing the sensor to detect surface profile changes indirectly through the roller's rotation rather than directly measuring the paper thickness. This intermediary approach maintains fast detection while improving accuracy by smoothing out the effects of rough surfaces and foreign matters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical thickness measurement is replaced with a mechanical-optical detection system. The roller converts surface profile changes into rotational motion, which is then detected by the sensor. This substitution allows for more accurate detection of the roll end position by measuring the roller's rotation rather than directly measuring paper thickness, thereby reducing the impact of surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the sensor and roller are arranged at the same position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between paper surface variations and actual roll end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidroll end detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor and roller are arranged at different positions along the circumferential direction of the roll paper, creating a spatial separation in the detection system. This positional offset in the circumferential dimension allows the system to detect the sequence and pattern of surface profile changes as the roll paper rotates, enabling differentiation between temporary surface variations and the actual roll end position based on the characteristic signal pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a single sensor is used to detect roll end position, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reliability of detection deteriorates when surface conditions vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the rotational motion of the roller as feedback to interpret the sensor signals. As the roll paper rotates the roller, the feedback from the roller's rotation allows the system to distinguish between signals caused by paper surface variations and signals indicating the actual roll end. This feedback mechanism improves detection reliability without requiring multiple sensors, maintaining device simplicity while enhancing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enhances the detection accuracy of the roll end, reduces the risk of paper jam, and improves operational efficiency by reliably differentiating between the roll paper and the paper tube surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor to detect a level difference at an end of the roll paper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLevel difference detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250153963A1Paper feeding device, paper feeding method, recording medium, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A paper feeding device for rotating a roll paper forward and backward to feed the roll paper includes a roller, a sensor, a support, and processing circuitry. The sensor detects a level difference at an end of the roll paper. On the supports, the sensor and the roller are arranged at positions offset from each other in a circumferential direction of the roll paper with respect to a center of the roll paper. The support supports the sensor and the roller to abut on a surface of the roll paper. The processing circuitry controls rotation of the roll paper based on a sensor signal output from the sensor. The processing circuitry causes the roll paper to rotate in a paper feeding direction, and compares an inclination of a change in the sensor signal with a threshold value to detect a paper tube of the roll paper.