Ultrasonic Grammage Sensor Environmental Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grammage detection sensors in image forming apparatuses are prone to inaccuracies due to changes in the surrounding environment, particularly temperature fluctuations, which can lead to incorrect detection of recording material grammage during continuous image formation on multiple sheets.
Innovation Solution
A grammage detection sensor system that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves between preceding and following recording materials, using a control unit to adjust image forming conditions based on specific wave patterns, and employs environmental correction coefficients to account for changes in temperature and pressure, ensuring accurate detection regardless of environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic wave reception is used to detect grammage, then grammage detection capability is achieved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to temperature changes in the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ultrasonic wave reception between the preceding recording material and the following recording material to obtain reference reception data before the following material passes through the sensor. This preliminary action allows the system to establish a baseline that accounts for current environmental conditions, which is then used to correct the grammage detection of subsequent materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ultrasonic wave reception data obtained between recording materials as feedback to correct the grammage detection results. By comparing the reference reception data with subsequent reception data, the system can identify environmental changes and adjust the detection algorithm accordingly, improving accuracy despite temperature fluctuations.
2Productivity
If continuous image formation on multiple sheets is performed, then productivity is improved, but temperature increase near the sensor causes detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
Before detecting the grammage of each recording material, the system performs preliminary ultrasonic wave reception using the preceding material as a reference. This allows the system to adapt to the current thermal environment created by continuous operation, ensuring accurate detection even during high-productivity continuous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The preceding recording material serves as an intermediary reference object that mediates between the ultrasonic sensor and the following recording material to be detected. By using this intermediate reference, the system can isolate the measurement from direct environmental interference while maintaining continuous operation.
3Device complexity
If ultrasonic wave reception data is used directly for grammage detection, then detection process is simple, but detection accuracy deteriorates under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary ultrasonic wave reception step that obtains reference data without requiring complex additional hardware. This simple preliminary action provides the baseline needed for accurate detection under varying environmental conditions, maintaining low complexity while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the preliminary reception data is used to correct subsequent detection results. This feedback approach improves accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity, as it utilizes the existing ultrasonic reception capability in a two-stage process.
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 system provides accurate grammage detection and optimal image forming conditions for subsequent recording materials, even when the surrounding environment changes, such as during continuous printing on both sides of multiple sheets, thereby preventing errors caused by temperature increases near the sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave; a reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasonic wave that has attenuated via the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
A grammage detection sensor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave, a reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit, and a control unit configured to detect a grammage of a recording material, when a plurality of recording materials are continuously conveyed between the transmission unit and the reception unit, on the basis of a first ultrasonic wave received by the reception unit after the ultrasonic wave is transmitted by the transmission unit between a preceding recording material and a recording material following the preceding recording material, and a second ultrasonic wave received via a recording material by the reception unit after the ultrasonic wave is transmitted by the transmission unit.