Ultrasonic Sensor Air Pressure Detection for Printers

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in detecting multi-feeding and adjusting for varying air pressures without increasing production costs, as they rely on expensive air pressure sensors and lack effective methods for handling atmospheric pressure variations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an ultrasonic sensor with a transmitter and receiver circuit that outputs a voltage based on ultrasonic wave strength, allowing the controller to detect multi-feeding and infer air pressure, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated air pressure sensor and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an air pressure sensor is provided to measure and adjust for air pressure variations, then printing quality consistency is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting quality consistencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting sheet presence for multi-feeding detection and measuring air pressure for printing quality adjustment. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate air pressure sensor, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining printing quality consistency across different air pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the air pressure measurement function with the existing ultrasonic sensor used for sheet detection. The air pressure sensor and ultrasonic sensor are merged into a single device, allowing both functions to be performed by one component. This merging reduces the total number of sensors needed, lowering production costs while ensuring reliable printing quality adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an air pressure sensor is provided to adjust printing operations, then printing quality under varying air pressure is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting quality under varying air pressureVSAvoidsensor quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting sheet presence for multi-feeding detection and measuring air pressure for printing quality adjustment. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate air pressure sensor, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining printing quality consistency across different air pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the air pressure measurement function with the existing ultrasonic sensor used for sheet detection. The air pressure sensor and ultrasonic sensor are merged into a single device, allowing both functions to be performed by one component. This merging reduces the total number of sensors needed, lowering production costs while ensuring reliable printing quality adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple detection methods are used for multi-feeding detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-feeding detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting sheet presence for multi-feeding detection and measuring air pressure for printing quality adjustment. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate air pressure sensor, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining printing quality consistency across different air pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 detects multi-feeding and adjusts ink ejection based on air pressure, ensuring consistent print quality without the need for additional sensors, thus reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter circuit which sends ultrasonic waves and a receiver circuit which receives the ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave propagation: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

The ultrasonic sensor outputs an output voltage in accordance with a strength of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiver circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic energy to electrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11446944B2Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder, an image former, an ultrasonic sensor, and a controller. The image former forms an image on a sheet conveyed. The ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the sheet conveyed. The ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitter circuit which sends ultrasonic waves and a receiver circuit which receives the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic sensor outputs an output voltage in accordance with a strength of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiver circuit. The controller recognizes a current air pressure based on a magnitude of the output voltage.