Sheet Feed Device Using Single Sensor for Retaining Plate State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feed devices in image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies due to the lack of detection for the complete raising state of the retaining plate, leading to unnecessary operation of the pickup roller and potential failure in sheet feeding, and the use of dedicated sensors increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feed device configuration that integrates a retaining section, a drive section to raise the retaining section, a conveyance section, and a detection section to detect the sheet and the retaining section's state, allowing for reduced detection sections and minimizing waiting time by raising the retaining section when a sheet feed instruction is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated sensor is provided for detecting a state of the retaining plate, then sheet feed is satisfied according to the state of the retaining plate, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet detection section is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting the presence of sheets on the retaining plate and detecting whether the retaining plate is in the raised state. By making the detection section universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for each detection task, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable sheet feed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of detecting retaining plate state with the function of detecting sheet presence into a single detection section. This combining of detection functions allows the system to determine both the retaining plate state and sheet presence using one sensor, reducing the total number of components needed
2Productivity
If the pickup roller is driven until a sheet is detected by the pre-separation sensor, then sheet feed is attempted, but the pickup roller operates uselessly when the retaining plate is not completely raised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the retaining plate state before initiating sheet feed operations. By checking whether the retaining plate is completely raised in advance, the system可以避免 unnecessary operation of the pickup roller and pre-separation sensor, thereby reducing wasted time and improving overall sheet feed efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The detection section provides feedback about the retaining plate state to the control system, which then adjusts the timing of sheet feed operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that sheet feed operations are initiated only when the retaining plate is in the correct state, eliminating useless operations and optimizing productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feed device comprises: a retaining section retaining a sheet; a drive section raising the retaining section; a conveyance section conveying a sheet on the raised retaining section; a sheet detection section detecting an end of the conveyed sheet; and a control section. At the time that a sheet feed instruction is received, when a sheet is detected by the sheet detection section, the control section causes the conveyance section to feed the sheet further. When a sheet is not detected, the control section causes the drive section to raise the retaining section and then causes the conveyance section to start conveyance of a sheet.