Sheet Feeder Contact Member Chattering Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet feeders using swing-type actuators experience chattering issues, leading to a long time for the actuator to stabilize, which delays the detection of recording sheets and subsequent feeding operations.
Innovation Solution
A sheet feeder design incorporating a contact member that swings based on the volume of recording media, with sensors outputting different signals depending on the contact member's state, and a controller that performs detection and feeding processes based on multiple signal outputs to quickly determine the presence of recording media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a swing-type actuator is used to detect recording sheets, then the sensor can detect the presence of recording sheets, but the actuator experiences chattering and takes a long time to stabilize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the swing-type actuator (mechanical system) with a sensor that detects the presence of recording sheets without physical contact. This substitution eliminates the chattering issue and long stabilization time inherent in mechanical swing actuators, while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism where the sensor detects the state of the recording sheet stack indirectly through its presence or absence, rather than using a mechanical actuator that physically swings to make contact. This intermediary approach avoids the harmful chattering effect while preserving detection function.
2Measurement precision
If the actuator stabilizes slowly, then detection can be performed, but the feeding operation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the slow-stabilizing mechanical actuator with a non-contact sensor system, the patent achieves both accurate detection and rapid response. The sensor provides immediate detection results without the stabilization delay, thereby improving feeding operation speed and overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor performs detection in advance without requiring the mechanical stabilization process, enabling the feeding operation to commence immediately after detection. This preliminary action eliminates the waiting period caused by actuator stabilization, improving throughput.
3Reliability
If multiple signal outputs are used for detection, then the detection process becomes more reliable, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple signal outputs (excessive action) to ensure reliable detection, but processes only the necessary portion of these signals for the determination. This approach maintains high detection reliability while avoiding unnecessary processing complexity by focusing on critical signal evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the sensor signals are processed to determine recording sheet presence, and this determination feeds back to control the feeding operation. This feedback loop ensures reliable detection while maintaining straightforward control logic that does not excessively complicate the system.
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
This design enables rapid detection of recording media and initiates feeding operations promptly, reducing the time required for the actuator to stabilize and improving the efficiency of the sheet feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
The contact member is configured to swingably move about a swing axis to contact the recording medium stacked on the medium tray
Implementation Method 2
The urging member is configured to urge the contact member toward a position corresponding to the stacked volume that no recording medium is stacked on the medium tray
Data Source
AI summary
A contact member swingably moves about a swing axis to contact a recording medium stacked on a medium tray, and shifts to different states depending on volume of medium. A controller performs: a detection process of detecting the stacked volume based on signals of M times outputted from the sensor, the M times being a number of times that is larger than or equal to two times; a stack determination process of determining whether the recording medium is stacked on the medium tray based on signals of N times, the signals of N times being a part of the signals of the M times outputted from the sensor, the N times being a number of times that is smaller than M; and a sheet feeding process of controlling the feed roller to feed the recording medium, in response to determining that the recording medium is stacked on the medium tray.