Vertical Stiffness Measurement for Recording Material Gravity Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses inaccurately measure the stiffness of recording materials due to the influence of gravity, as they measure stiffness while the sheet is horizontally conveyed, making it difficult to accurately cancel out the effect of gravity and grasp the necessary correction.

Innovation Solution

A stiffness measuring apparatus with a pinching member and presser that pinches the recording material to maintain its surface parallel to the vertical direction, using a load measuring section to acquire the reaction force and measure stiffness, minimizing the effect of gravity by pressing the material in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the sheet is held horizontally during measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but the gravity effect cannot be accurately canceled leading to measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidstiffness measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal measurement approach by measuring the sheet in a vertical orientation. The sheet is fed vertically and the measurement is performed with the sheet's longitudinal direction aligned with the gravitational force, allowing gravity to act consistently along the measurement direction rather than perpendicular to it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter orientation from horizontal to vertical. By rotating the measurement configuration 90 degrees, the sheet is positioned vertically during measurement, which fundamentally alters how gravity interacts with the sheet and enables accurate gravity compensation through vertical pressing force measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the sheet is lifted to cancel gravity effect, then measurement accuracy may improve, but it becomes difficult to lift the sheet with high accuracy by the exact droop amount

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness measurement accuracyVSAvoidsheet lifting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lifting the sheet upward to counteract gravity's downward effect, the patent inverts the approach by aligning the sheet vertically and applying the pressing force in the vertical direction. This eliminates the need for precise lifting while still achieving accurate gravity compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement configuration from horizontal to vertical, which fundamentally alters the gravity interaction. By measuring in the vertical direction where gravity acts parallel to the sheet's longitudinal axis, the system can accurately account for gravity's effect rather than needing to physically counteract it through lifting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the distance from the pinching portion to the lower end is increased, then more of the sheet can be measured, but the gravity effect increases making accurate measurement more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurable sheet lengthVSAvoidstiffness measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter from horizontal to vertical, which fundamentally alters the gravity effect distribution. In the vertical configuration, gravity acts uniformly along the sheet's length, allowing the entire sheet length to be measured while maintaining measurement accuracy through proper force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables accurate measurement of recording material stiffness by minimizing the effect of gravity, allowing for precise control of image forming parameters and improved image formation processes.

Implementation Method 1

a pinching member that pinches a recording material so that a recording surface of the recording material is substantially parallel to a vertical direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a presser that presses a recording surface of the recording material; a stiffness acquirer that measures a reaction force of the recording material when the recording surface of the recording material is pressed by the presser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250020560A1Stiffness measuring apparatus and image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A stiffness measuring apparatus includes: a pinching member that pinches a recording material such that a recording surface of the recording material is substantially parallel to a vertical direction; a presser that presses the recording surface of the recording material pinched by the pinching member, and a stiffness acquirer that measures a reaction force of the recording material when the recording surface of the recording material is pressed by the presser, and acquires the measured reaction force as stiffness of the recording material. Portions of the pinching member that pinch the recording material are formed of materials having the same hardness.