Single-Sensor Image Forming Sheet and Guide Posture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require multiple sensors to detect sheet jams and branch guide postures, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Utilize a single sensor to detect both the presence of a sheet on a transport route and the posture of a branch guide, reducing the number of sensors needed and enabling efficient abnormality detection through posture shifting and notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect sheet jams and branch guide postures, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor to perform multiple detection functions: detecting both the presence of sheets on the transport route and the posture of the branch guide. The sensor is strategically positioned to detect sheets at specific locations (first transport route from fixing device to delivery port, second transport route from image forming device to fixing device) and simultaneously sense branch guide positions, thereby replacing multiple sensors and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of separate sheet detection and branch guide posture detection into a single integrated detection system. By combining these detection capabilities into one sensor, the system reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while achieving the same overall detection accuracy that would require multiple separate sensors
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for sheet detection and posture recognition, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor is designed with multi-functional capability to maintain detection reliability across different detection tasks. The sensor detects sheets on both the first transport route (from fixing device to delivery port) and the second transport route (from image forming device to fixing device), as well as branch guide postures, thereby achieving comprehensive detection coverage with reduced device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a unified detection system using one sensor. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant sensors while maintaining reliable detection of sheet presence and branch guide posture through strategic sensor placement and multi-functional design
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device; a fixing device; a first transport route; a second transport route; a branch guide that assumes a first posture and a second posture; a sheet contact member that assumes a non-contact posture and a contacting posture; a detection object that assumes a first posture, when the branch guide assumes the first posture and when the sheet contact member assumes the non-contact posture, and assumes a second posture, when the branch guide assumes the second posture and when the sheet contact member assumes the contacting posture; and a sensor that outputs a first signal, when the detection object is in the first posture, and outputs a second signal, when the detection object is in the second posture.