Sorter Actuator Location Detection Using Tray Full Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorters for image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in accurately determining the full load condition of sheet output trays, often relying on home position sensors that reduce processing efficiency and require complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A sorter with a plurality of sheet output trays, a first actuator, a transferring mechanism, and tray full detection mechanisms, where the second actuator is rotatable and includes a pivot pin, a head portion, a connecting portion, and a rear portion, with a tray full detection sensor to identify fully loaded conditions by detecting changes in attitude, eliminating the need for home position sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If home position sensors are used to determine the location of the first actuator, then the sorting function can be implemented, but processing efficiency is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray full detection sensor serves dual purposes: it detects whether the sheet output tray is full and simultaneously detects the position of the first actuator. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate home position sensors, thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing device complexity without compromising the sorting function.
2Measurement precision
If complex mechanisms are used to determine actuator location, then location accuracy can be improved, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves location accuracy without complex mechanisms by making the tray full detection sensor serve multiple functions. The sensor detects both tray fullness and actuator position through a single detection mechanism, eliminating the need for additional sensors or complex positioning systems while maintaining accurate location detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray full detection sensor performs self-service by utilizing its existing detection capability to also determine actuator position. The sensor serves itself by detecting the actuator's position through the same mechanism used for tray fullness detection, thereby achieving accurate location measurement without requiring separate complex positioning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If home position sensors are installed, then the sorting function operates, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of components by making the tray full detection sensor universal. The same sensor that detects tray fullness also detects actuator position, thereby maintaining the reliability of the sorting function while reducing the total number of components in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tray full detection function and actuator position detection function into a single sensor system. By combining these two detection functions into one mechanism, the patent eliminates the need for separate home position sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sorting reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sorter includes a plurality of sheet output trays, a first actuator, a transferring mechanism, a control device, and a plurality of tray full detection mechanisms. The first actuator travels along the plurality of sheet output trays to guide a sheet onto any one of the plurality of sheet output trays. The transferring mechanism transfers the first actuator. The control device controls an operation of the transferring mechanism. The plurality of tray full detection mechanisms are provided one for each of the plurality of sheet output trays. Each of the plurality of tray full detection mechanisms includes a second actuator and a tray full detection sensor. The control device identifies an actual location of the first actuator based on a change of a detection signal produced by a change in attitude of the second actuator due to transfer of the first actuator and output from the tray full detection sensor.