Sheet Conveyance Device With Single-Sensor Dual-Feed Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

The arrangement of multiple detection sensors in sheet conveyance devices leads to an increase in components and manufacturing costs, complicating the control system.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveyance device with a sheet detection mechanism that uses a single actuator and detection sensor to detect sheets stacked on a first stacking portion and conveyed from a second feeding portion, utilizing a driving portion to switch rotation direction for efficient sheet feeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple detection sensors are arranged to detect sheets from both feeding portions, then sheet detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet detection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single detection sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting sheets from the first feeding portion and detecting sheets conveyed from the second feeding portion. The sensor is positioned and configured to monitor both sheet sources, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each feeding portion while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection functions for both feeding portions into a single detection sensor. By combining these detection tasks into one sensor, the system reduces component count and simplifies the overall device structure while still achieving comprehensive sheet detection from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple detection sensors are arranged to detect sheets from both feeding portions, then sheet detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single detection sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting sheets from the first feeding portion and detecting sheets conveyed from the second feeding portion. The sensor is positioned and configured to monitor both sheet sources, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each feeding portion while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection functions for both feeding portions into a single detection sensor. By combining these detection tasks into one sensor, the system reduces component count and simplifies the overall device structure while still achieving comprehensive sheet detection from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12461476B2Sheet conveyance device and image forming apparatus provided therewith

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A sheet conveyance device includes a sheet conveyance passage, a first sheet stacking portion, a first feeding portion, a second feeding portion, a sheet detection mechanism, a driving portion, and a control portion. The first sheet stacking portion has a bottom face part and a lifting plate. The driving portion drives the first feeding portion when rotating forward and drives the second feeding portion when rotating reversely. The sheet detection mechanism has an actuator and a detection sensor. The control portion controls such that, for a sheet fed from the first sheet stacking portion, when the sheet is detected by the sheet detection mechanism, the driving portion rotates forward and, for a sheet conveyed from the second feeding portion, the driving portion rotates reversely and, when the detection sensor detects the actuator swinging at the detection position, the driving portion is switched to rotate forward.