Sheet conveyance apparatus noise reduction via dynamic motor speed control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face a challenge in improving productivity while reducing noise, as high-speed motor operation increases operating sound and low-speed operation decreases sheet discharge speed, making it difficult to achieve both improvements simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance apparatus with a pivotable switching member and a control system that adjusts rotational speeds of the driving motor and pivot operations to moderate the impact between the switching member and link member, reducing operating sound without compromising productivity, by executing pivot operations at slower speeds when the motor rotates at lower speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driving motor rotates at high speed to improve productivity, then sheet discharge speed is improved, but operating sound of the switching member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the motor rotation speed variable rather than fixed. The control portion dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the driving motor based on the operational phase: using first rotation speed during pivot operations to reduce sound, and second rotation speed during sheet conveyance to maintain productivity. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and productivity maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of motor rotation speed according to different operational requirements. By switching between first rotation speed (lower) during pivot operations and second rotation speed (higher) during sheet conveyance, the system optimizes both noise levels and productivity. The transmission unit also varies the pivot operation speed based on motor rotation speed, creating a coordinated parameter adjustment strategy.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the driving motor rotates at low speed to reduce noise, then operating sound is reduced, but sheet discharge speed drops
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts motor speed based on operational context. During sheet conveyance phases, the motor operates at second rotation speed to maintain productivity, while during pivot operations, it switches to first rotation speed to reduce noise. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve noise reduction without sacrificing overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between first rotation speed during pivot operations and second rotation speed during sheet conveyance. This periodic speed variation allows the system to periodically reduce noise during non-critical phases while maintaining high productivity during critical conveyance phases, achieving both goals over time.
3Productivity
If the switching member pivots at high speed, then productivity is improved, but operating sound increases due to bound phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pivot operation speed parameter based on motor rotation speed. When the motor rotates at first rotation speed, the pivot operation executes at first operating speed (lower). When the motor rotates at second rotation speed, the pivot operation executes at second operating speed (higher). This parameter adjustment reduces bound phenomenon and operating sound during pivot operations while maintaining productivity through coordinated speed management.
Solution Approach 2:
The control portion executes the pivot operation at the lower first operating speed before the sheet arrives at the conveyance portion, during a time when high-speed operation is not yet required. This preliminary action at reduced speed prevents bound phenomenon and operating sound issues before they can occur during high-speed sheet conveyance.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a switching member to execute a pivot operation and a conveyance portion to convey a sheet at a first conveyance speed where a driving motor rotates at a first rotational speed, and to convey the sheet at a second conveyance speed which is greater than zero and slower than the first conveyance speed where the driving motor rotates at a second rotational speed which is greater than zero and slower than the first rotational speed. Where a control portion conveys a first sheet at the first conveyance speed, the switching member executes the pivot operation at the second operating speed before the first sheet arrives at the switching member and the conveyance portion, and rotates the driving motor at the first rotational speed after the pivot operation has been executed and before the first sheet arrives at the conveyance portion.