Sheet Processing Apparatus Waste Detection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face failures in control due to cut wastes not dropping into the dust box by self-weight, leading to external resistance issues and incorrect detection by sensors, especially when wastes have small size or move in the conveying path.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection unit to determine the length of cut pieces in the sheet conveying direction, with a controller that distinguishes cut pieces from regular sheets if their length is equal or less than a predetermined amount, ensuring proper conveying and avoiding operational failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to detect sheets in the conveying path, then sheet counting and control are improved, but cutting wastes are erroneously detected as sheets causing control failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple presence/absence detection to length-based detection. By measuring the length of objects in the conveying path and comparing against predetermined thresholds, the system distinguishes between sheets (longer) and cutting wastes (shorter), resolving the erroneous detection problem while maintaining reliable control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional binary sensor detection system with a length measurement system. Instead of relying on sensors that simply detect presence, the system uses length measurement capabilities to differentiate between sheets and cutting wastes, eliminating control failures while improving detection accuracy
2Productivity
If cut pieces are conveyed by the conveying unit, then continuous operation is maintained, but sensors incorrectly identify them as sheets leading to control failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from binary detection to length-parameter-based detection, allowing continuous operation while maintaining control accuracy. By measuring object length and comparing to thresholds, the system correctly identifies cutting wastes as non-sheets even when conveyed continuously, preventing control failures
3Speed
If the swing guide moves upward quickly to guide the next bundle, then processing speed is improved, but cut wastes remain on the swing guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on gravitational dropping with an active detection and identification system. By using length measurement to identify cutting wastes on the swing guide, the system can distinguish between wastes (which may remain) and sheets (which should be processed), maintaining high speed operation while ensuring reliable waste management
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus, by which a failure in control does not occur even if cutting wastes are conveyed by a conveying unit and an image forming apparatus having the sheet processing apparatus are provided. The sheet processing apparatus has a cutter unit for cutting a sheet, a dust box for accommodating the cutting wastes, a conveying belt pair which conveys the cut sheet, sensors for detecting the sheet conveyed by the conveying belt pair, and a controller for controlling conveyance of the sheet based on the signals detected by the sensors, wherein when the length of the sheet detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the controller does not determine the sheet as a sheet.