Shared Optical Sensor for Multi-Tray Paper Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses with multiple feed cassettes face challenges in reducing size and part count, as they require multiple sensors and edge guides, making them bulky and complex, and struggle with detecting paper presence in multi-level trays using shared sensors.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a shared optical sensor and moveable edge guides that use reflecting portions on the trays to determine paper presence, allowing for compact design and efficient paper feeding using a shared feed roller, while avoiding interference with edge guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is provided in each feed cassette to detect paper presence, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single sensor system. The optical sensor detects paper presence in both the first and second feed cassettes using one sensor, eliminating the need for separate sensors in each cassette. This merging approach maintains detection reliability while reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions: it can detect paper presence in the first tray, paper presence in the second tray, and tray insertion/removal states. This multi-functionality allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
2Reliability
If independent feed rollers are provided for each feed cassette level, then feeding reliability is improved, but device complexity and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feed roller function into a single shared component that serves both the first and second feed cassettes. The feed roller is positioned to feed paper from either tray as needed, eliminating the need for separate feed rollers in each cassette. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining the ability to reliably feed paper from multiple sources.
3Manufacturing precision
If edge guides with moveable regions are provided in each feed cassette, then paper width restriction is improved, but device complexity and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the edge guide functionality into a single integrated structure that serves both feed cassettes. The edge guides are positioned to restrict paper width for both the first and second trays using a unified design, eliminating the need for separate edge guide systems in each cassette. This reduces layout complexity while maintaining precise paper width control.
4Device complexity
If the top-level tray moves in feed and retraction directions to enable shared feed roller operation, then device complexity is reduced, but detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflecting portions as intermediary elements on the tray surfaces to enable optical detection. These reflecting portions serve as mediators between the optical sensor and the tray, allowing the sensor to detect paper presence and tray position even as the tray moves between feed and retraction positions. This intermediary mechanism resolves the detection difficulty while maintaining the simplified structure.
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
Enables accurate detection of paper presence in each tray using a shared optical sensor, reducing apparatus size and part count, and preventing operational issues due to forgotten media, while maintaining flexibility in handling various paper widths.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflecting portion which is provided on a mounting surface of the recording medium of the first tray; a second reflecting portion which is provided on a mounting surface of the recording medium of the second tray and overlaps the first reflecting portion in a direction which orthogonally intersects the mounting surface
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a recording apparatus including: a recording head which executes recording on a recording medium; a first tray which stores a recording medium; a feed roller which is capable of feeding the recording medium in the first tray toward the recording head; a first reflecting portion which is provided on a mounting surface of the recording medium of the first tray; an optical sensor which is provided above the mounting surface of the first reflecting portion in a direction which orthogonally intersects the mounting surface; and a tray detection reflecting portion which is provided below the first tray in a region which overlaps the first reflecting portion in a direction which orthogonally intersects the mounting surface.