Ultrasonic Sensor Overlay Detection for Recording Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording medium conveyance devices, such as those in MFPs, face challenges in accurately detecting double feeding of recording media without user input, often misjudging overlay papers like envelopes as double fed, leading to complex user operations and errors.
Innovation Solution
A recording medium conveyance device equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that measures the attenuation of ultrasonic waves to detect overlay states, with a hardware processor that prevents initial overlay detection for the first conveyed object and judges subsequent objects based on the first object's detection results, simplifying user input and reducing misjudgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If overlay detection is performed for all conveyed objects, then detection accuracy for double feeding is improved, but false positive rate increases due to misjudgment of envelope-like structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the first conveyed object using ultrasonic sensor before applying overlay detection. By pre-identifying the initial object and excluding it from overlay detection, the system avoids false positives while maintaining detection accuracy for subsequent objects that may actually be double-fed.
2Reliability
If user input is required to set sheet type, then detection reliability is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies the type of conveyed object using the ultrasonic sensor without requiring user input. The hardware processor autonomously determines whether an object is a single sheet or envelope-like structure based on acoustic characteristics, eliminating the need for manual sheet type setting while maintaining reliable detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If overlay detection is applied to first conveyed object, then comprehensive detection is achieved, but misjudgment of envelope as double feed occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different detection criteria to different objects in the conveyance sequence. The first conveyed object is treated differently (excluded from overlay detection) compared to subsequent objects, allowing the system to adapt its detection behavior locally to avoid misjudgment while maintaining overall detection coverage.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of recording medium detection, reduces user operation complexity, and prevents errors by distinguishing between single and double feeds without pre-setting the type of recording medium, ensuring proper conveyance and image formation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor that outputs a value indicating an attenuation amount of an ultrasonic wave caused by the conveyed object
Data Source
AI summary
A recording medium conveyance device includes storage that stores a recording medium, a conveyer that takes out the recording medium stored in the storage and conveys the recording medium as a conveyed object, an ultrasonic sensor that outputs a value indicating an attenuation amount of an ultrasonic wave caused by the conveyed object and a hardware processor, wherein the hardware processor executes an overlay detection process of detecting whether the conveyed object is in an overlay state in which a gap is present based on a result of output by the ultrasonic sensor, and prevents execution of the overlay detection process with respect to a first conveyed object that is to be conveyed first by the conveyer.