Sheet Feeding Apparatus Fan Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with maintaining optimal sheet feeding due to fluctuations in fan performance, aged fan characteristics, and voltage drops, leading to problems like sheet jam, skew feeding, position shift, and improper air flow, especially when dealing with sheets of varying thickness and weight.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a sheet feeding mechanism with an air blowing portion that adjusts air quantity while the sheet moves away from the loosening position, using sensors to detect sheet floatation and adjust fan speed to maintain optimal air flow, thereby stabilizing fan performance regardless of fan fluctuations and material variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the rotating speed of the separating fan is controlled to match different sheet materials, then the sheet dealing state can be optimized for each material type, but the fan speed becomes unstable due to fan fluctuations, aged deterioration, and voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the actual floating position of the sheet and the control unit adjusts the fan rotating speed based on this detection. The control unit compares the detected floating position with a target position and modifies the fan speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for fan fluctuations and maintains stable sheet dealing state regardless of material variations or fan degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the operating parameters of the separating fan based on detected sheet conditions. The control unit adjusts the fan rotating speed in real-time according to the actual sheet floating position, transitioning from fixed parameter operation to variable parameter control that adapts to different sheet materials and maintains optimal performance
2Manufacturing precision
If the tray is lifted and lowered to position sheets within a predetermined range, then sheets of varying materials can be positioned, but it cannot be determined whether the sheet achieves optimum dealing state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tray lifting and lowering mechanism with a pneumatic air blowing system that directly controls sheet floating. Instead of mechanically adjusting tray position, the system uses controlled air flow from the separating fan to achieve sheet floating at the desired position, providing more precise and controllable sheet positioning without mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor-based feedback system that detects the actual floating position of the sheet and uses this information to adjust the air blowing quantity. This closed-loop control enables the system to achieve and maintain the optimum dealing state by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on actual sheet position rather than relying on predetermined mechanical positioning
3Quantity of substance
If the air blowing quantity is increased for thick or heavy sheets, then proper air flow is achieved, but the fan rotating speed becomes slower than target value resulting in overlapped sheet conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the fan rotating speed parameter based on the specific sheet material characteristics and detected floating position. Rather than using fixed high or low speed settings, the system optimizes the fan speed parameter in real-time to match the actual air blowing requirements of different sheet types, preventing both insufficient air flow and excessive air flow that would cause overlapping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static fan speed settings to dynamic, real-time speed adjustment. The fan rotating speed is continuously modified based on feedback from sheet position detection, allowing the system to adapt to varying sheet materials and maintain optimal conveyance performance without the limitations of fixed operating parameters
4Quantity of substance
If the air blowing quantity is decreased for thin or light sheets, then the sheet floating is controlled, but the fan rotating speed becomes faster than target value causing sheet jam and skew feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sensor-based feedback system that detects the floating position of thin or light sheets and adjusts the fan rotating speed accordingly. The control unit receives real-time information about sheet position and modifies the fan speed to maintain optimal air blowing quantity, preventing excessive air flow that would cause sheet jamming and skew feeding while avoiding insufficient air flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic fan speed adjustment that adapts to the specific requirements of different sheet materials. The system continuously monitors sheet floating position and real-time adjusts fan rotating speed to match the actual air blowing needs of thin or light sheets, eliminating the harmful effects of fixed high-speed operation while maintaining controlled sheet floating
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 solution ensures stable and optimal sheet feeding, reducing issues like sheet jam and improper air flow, by dynamically adjusting fan speed based on sheet conditions, ensuring consistent performance across different sheet materials.
Implementation Method 1
air is blown to the sheet from one end side in a conveyance direction of the sheets loaded in an accommodation box using a separating fan and the floating sheet is adsorbed to and conveyed by a conveyance belt
Implementation Method 2
the floating sheet is adsorbed to and conveyed by a conveyance belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a sheet feeding apparatus which separates and feed a sheet one by one using a loosening fan which blows air from an air blowing portion for loosening the sheet on a tray. The rotating speed of the sheet loosening fan is adjusted while the sheet supported by the tray is not located in front of a position where the air is blown from the air blowing portion.