Imaging System Sheet Property Detection and Conveyance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting sheet properties like thickness and glossiness, leading to potential jamming issues and reduced detection accuracy due to variations in sheet conveying position and properties.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a medium sensor with a light emitting portion and multiple light receiving portions, including a diaphragm member and transparent diffusion member, to accurately detect sheet properties by selectively allowing parallel and diffused light components, enabling precise control of conveying speed and pressure based on detected properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a simple light receiving structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy of sheet properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving structure is segmented into multiple light receiving portions (first, second, and third light receiving portions) arranged at different positions and orientations. Each portion detects light from a specific direction, allowing the system to measure different aspects of sheet properties (thickness, glossiness, curvature) simultaneously, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring a single complex receiver
Solution Approach 2:
A light receiving element is introduced as an intermediary component that converts optical information (light intensity variations) into electrical signals for processing. This intermediary enables accurate detection of sheet properties by translating physical optical phenomena into measurable electrical data
2Productivity
If sheet conveying speed is increased to improve productivity, then output increases, but detection accuracy and jamming prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs preliminary detection of sheet properties (thickness, glossiness, curvature) before the sheet reaches critical processing zones. Based on this advance detection, the system can pre-adjust conveying speed and applying pressure to prevent jamming while maintaining high overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying speed is made dynamic rather than constant. The system continuously adjusts conveying speed based on real-time detection of sheet properties, allowing faster speeds for stable sheets and slower speeds for sheets prone to jamming, thereby optimizing both productivity and detection accuracy
3Reliability
If conveying speed is dynamically adjusted based on sheet properties, then jamming is reduced, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where the sensor continuously monitors sheet properties and feeds this information back to the conveying control system. The system automatically adjusts conveying speed based on the feedback signal, creating a closed-loop control that prevents jamming without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms
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 enhances the detection accuracy of sheet properties, reduces jamming occurrences, and optimizes the printing process by adjusting conveying speed and pressure dynamically, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting portion and a plurality of light receiving portions to accurately detect sheet properties
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a roller that conveys a printing medium, a medium sensor that detects a medium property of the printing medium conveyed by the roller, and a controller that adjusts a conveyance speed of the printing medium by the roller based on the medium property detected by the medium sensor.