Sheet Feeding Device Rigidity Calculation via Curvature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the stiffness of recording sheets without risking damage, as they rely on measuring slack against a stopper plate.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device is proposed, comprising a sheet tray, a transport device, a sheet sensor, and a control device. The sheet sensor outputs curvature information, which the control device uses to measure the sheet's curvature amount and calculate its rigidity, allowing for controlled settings in the transport and image forming processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If slack measurement against a stopper plate is used to evaluate sheet stiffness, then sheet rigidity can be measured, but the sheet may be damaged during the measurement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slack measurement method with an optical measurement system. A sheet sensor detects the curvature of the sheet as it passes through the feeding device, and a control device calculates rigidity based on curvature information. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact that causes damage while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curvature information as an intermediary parameter between the sheet's physical state and the rigidity measurement. Instead of directly measuring slack through mechanical contact, the system measures curvature changes as the sheet moves through the feeding device, using this intermediate data to calculate rigidity without damaging the sheet.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If curvature information is used to measure sheet rigidity, then sheet damage is avoided, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet sensor serves multiple functions: it detects sheet presence, measures sheet curvature, and provides data for rigidity calculation. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent avoids adding dedicated complex measurement equipment while still achieving non-contact rigidity measurement through curvature detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the sheet's own movement through the feeding device to generate the curvature changes needed for measurement. The natural progression of the sheet through the device provides the measurement opportunity, eliminating the need for external measurement mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding device includes a sheet tray, a transport device, a sheet sensor, and a control device. On the sheet tray, a sheet is placed. The transport device transports the sheet placed on the sheet tray. The sheet sensor is located upstream of the transport device in a sheet transport direction, and outputs curvature information indicating a curvature status of the sheet being transported by the transport device. The control device includes a processor, and acts as a measuring device and a calculation device, when the processor executes a control program. The measuring device measures a curvature amount of the sheet, on a basis of the curvature information. The calculation device calculates rigidity of the sheet, on a basis of the curvature amount.