Transporting Device Sheet Dust Cleaning Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face errors in detecting the side end of sheets due to paper dust adhering to the contact glass of the line sensor, leading to incorrect detection and increased manufacturing costs due to complex mechanical designs and inconvenient manual cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A transporting device with a detection unit that automatically cleans paper dust from the contact glass by moving the sheet of paper to an outside position and then back to the image forming position, using roller members to prevent erroneous detection without additional mechanical configurations, allowing for accurate side end detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If paper dust is allowed to remain on the contact glass of the line sensor, then the structure remains simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet of paper serves dual purposes: it is both the object being transported and the cleaning medium. By moving the sheet to an outside position and back, the paper itself cleans the contact glass by removing accumulated dust through its passage, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting device performs multiple functions: it transports sheets, corrects offset position, and cleans the contact glass. The roller members and sheet handling mechanism serve both transport and cleaning purposes, reducing overall device complexity while improving detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If manual cleaning of the contact glass is implemented, then the detection accuracy can be maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans the contact glass using the passing sheet of paper without requiring manual intervention. The cleaning action occurs automatically during normal operation when sheets are transported through the detection unit, maintaining detection accuracy while improving operational convenience
3Measurement precision
If additional mechanical configurations are added to clean the contact glass, then the detection accuracy improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sheet of paper and roller members are used to clean the contact glass without adding new mechanical components. The cleaning function is achieved by utilizing the paper's passage through the detection unit, eliminating the need for additional manufacturing costs while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The roller members and sheet handling mechanism perform both transport and cleaning functions, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired detection accuracy
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
The solution effectively prevents erroneous detection of the sheet's side end by removing paper dust from the contact glass, ensuring accurate detection and reducing manufacturing costs through automated cleaning, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
light is reflected by the sheet of paper P within the sheet of paper P while the detected output of the sheet of paper reduces below the predetermined threshold value Lth because light does not reflected by the opposed guide plate within an outside end from the side end Ps of the sheet of paper P
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A transporting device is described that transports a sheet of paper which is transporting in a first direction. A control unit has a detection-unit-cleaning mode in which when roller members move to a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, to perform a correction of the positional deflection of the sheet of paper. The control unit controls the roller members to move the sheet of paper to an outside position from an image forming position and a position of the side end of the sheet of paper when the sheet of paper passes through the detection unit. The control unit then moves the sheet of paper to the image forming position, based on the image forming position and the position of a side end of the sheet of paper, which is detected by a detection unit.