Sheet Lateral Deviation Detection Using Multi-Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in accurately and efficiently detecting lateral position deviations of sheets due to delays in sensor movement caused by drive force transmission units, such as belts, which affect sensing precision and speed.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus with multiple sensors and a driving unit that moves the sensing unit in the widthwise direction, where the position deviation is detected only after the sensing unit has moved a predetermined distance, invalidating initial sensing results to account for delay, thereby ensuring precise and rapid detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sheet sensor is moved in the widthwise direction to detect lateral position deviation, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the sensing precision deteriorates due to delay in sensor movement proportional to driving amount
Solution Approach 1:
The single sheet sensor is segmented into multiple sheet sensors arranged in the widthwise direction. This segmentation allows parallel detection at multiple positions simultaneously, eliminating the movement delay issue while maintaining simplified device configuration. The multiple sensors detect lateral position deviation without requiring sequential movement, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical movement system of a single sensor is replaced with a static array of multiple sensors. Instead of moving one sensor mechanically to scan different positions, multiple sensors are fixed at different positions to perform simultaneous detection. This substitution eliminates mechanical delay while keeping the detection system relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If the stand-by position of the sheet sensor is away from the sheet to allow proportional movement, then the sensing precision improves, but the detection time increases due to increased moving amount
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the detection function across multiple sensors positioned at different locations, the system eliminates the need for sequential movement. All sensors operate simultaneously from their fixed positions, achieving both high precision and fast detection without the time penalty of increased movement distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple sensors are pre-positioned at optimal detection locations before the detection process begins. This preliminary arrangement of detection points eliminates the need for subsequent movement to achieve detection positions, thereby reducing detection time while maintaining precision.
3Device complexity
If a single sheet sensor is used with movement based on driving pulses, then the device configuration is simplified by eliminating direct detection of sensor movement, but the reliability of moving amount measurement deteriorates due to belt stretching and delayed proportional movement
Solution Approach 1:
The single moving sensor is segmented into multiple fixed sensors. This eliminates the need to measure and trust the movement amount of a single sensor, as each sensor remains stationary and provides reliable detection from its fixed position. The system maintains simplified configuration by using fixed sensors rather than complex movement measurement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical movement and measurement system is replaced with a static multi-sensor array. Instead of relying on accurate measurement of sensor displacement through driving pulses, the system uses fixed sensors that eliminate mechanical movement errors and belt stretching issues entirely.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus capable of detecting a lateral position deviation amount of a sheet with high precision and at a high speed. A sheet sensing unit includes two or more sensors, each of which sensing a side edge of the sheet, disposed in a widthwise direction of the sheet. A position deviation amount of the sheet in the widthwise direction is detected based on a moving distance of the sheet sensing unit until at least one of the sensors senses the side edge of the sheet. The position deviation amount of the sheet is determined using a sensing result of the side edge of sheet after the sheet sensing unit moves by a predetermined distance, while invalidating a sensing result of the side edge of sheet sensing unit in the widthwise direction from when a driving unit starts driving until the sheet sensing unit moves by the predetermined distance.