Patent ID: 12221304

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical contents of this disclosure will become apparent with the detailed description of embodiments accompanied with the illustration of related drawings as follows. It is intended that the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a sheet detection device incorporated with a paper tray, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.2is a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the sheet detection device1of the disclosure, for example, may be incorporated with the paper tray9of the printer (not shown in figures). The paper tray9may include a paper guide91. The paper guide91is disposed in the paper tray9and capable of moving along a moving direction D. It should be noted that the paper guide91may be a single side (such as left side, right side or bottom side) paper guide (as shown inFIG.1), left side and right side linked paper guide (as shown inFIG.7below), or left side (or right side) and bottom side linked paper guide (not shown in figures), or the other paper guides of linked or non-linked in different manners, here is not intended to be limiting. The aforementioned left side, right side or bottom side are described with respect to the side of the paper tray9connected to the sheet inlet of the printer as the upper side.

The sheet detection device1includes a magnetic element11, a first magnetic sensing element12, a second magnetic sensing element13, and a processing element14.

The magnetic element11is disposed on the paper guide91. The magnetic element11may be, for example, magnet, and the magnetic intensity (or magnetic force) of the magnetic element11is not limiting. When the paper guide91moves along the moving direction D, the paper guide91brings the magnetic element11to move together. Moreover, the arrangement of the direction M1of the magnetic moment (the direction from south pole S to north pole N of the magnet) is not limiting. Here uses that the direction M1of the magnetic moment is the same with the moving direction D of the paper guide91away from the side wall of the paper tray9(that is, the moving direction D toward left inFIG.2) as an example.

The first magnetic sensing element12is disposed on the paper tray9and configured to generate a first voltage signal V1corresponding to the magnetic element11. The first magnetic sensing element12may be, for example, a Hall sensor, here is not intended to be limiting.

The second magnetic sensing element13is disposed on the paper tray9and arranged spacedly with the first magnetic sensing element12. The second magnetic sensing element13is configured to generate a second voltage signal V2corresponding to the magnetic element11. The second magnetic sensing element13may be, for example, a Hall sensor, here is not intended to be limiting. The second magnetic sensing element13may be a magnetic sensing element with the same or different specifications of the first magnetic sensing element12, here is not intended to be limiting. In the embodiment, the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13are using the magnetic sensing elements with the same specifications as an example.

In some embodiments, the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13may be located at a side of the magnetic element11(as shown inFIG.2), or located at a bottom side of the magnetic element (not shown in figures, that is, the magnetic sensing element is overlapped with the paper guide91in top view), here is not intended to be limiting. The main requirement is that the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13may generate the voltage signals with respect to the magnetic element11.

The processing element14is electrically connected with the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13. The processing element14may include, for example, a sensor integrated circuit, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.

FIG.3is a schematic diagram of the relation between the relative position (of the magnetic sensing element and the magnetic element) and the voltage signal. Referring toFIG.2andFIG.3, in some embodiments, when the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13is located at different positions relative to the magnetic element11, the voltage signal V1, V2being generated is shown asFIG.3. Specifically, when the direction M1of the magnetic moment of the magnetic element11is toward left side (that is, north pole N is on the left side) and the magnetic element11moves from left side to right side inFIG.3, the voltage signal V1, V2generated by the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13goes upward, and then the voltage signal V1, V2reaches a topmost point when the magnetic element11arrives a specific location. When the magnetic element11keeps moving toward right side, the voltage signal V1, V2goes downward. When the central line (in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction D) of the magnetic element11is overlapped with the central line of the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13(as shown inFIG.2), the magnetic field line of the magnetic element11is parallel with the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13, thereby no magnetic field line being detected by the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13. Therefore, the voltage signal V1, V2generated by the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13at the position is the predetermined voltage signal. In some embodiments, the predetermined voltage signal is, for example, half of the supply voltage Vcc (that is, Vcc/2, for example, 1.65V). When the magnetic element11keeps moving toward right side, and the voltage signal V1, V2generated by the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13reaches a bottommost point when the magnetic element11arrives a specific location. When the magnetic element11keeps moving toward right side, the voltage signal V1, V2generated by the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13gradually goes upward and approaches the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V).

In other words, when the voltage signal V1, V2is higher than the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2), the magnetic element11is located at the left side of the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13. When the voltage signal V1, V2is lower than the predetermined voltage signal, the magnetic element11is located at the right side of the first magnetic sensing element12or the second magnetic sensing element13.

It should be noted that, when the direction of the magnetic moment M1of the magnetic element11is opposite to the aforementioned direction (that is, north pole N is on the right side), the determining manner of the voltage signal V1, V2with respect to the predetermined voltage signal is also opposite to the aforementioned determining manner.

FIG.4is a flowchart of a detection method of the sheet detection device, in accordance with the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.2andFIG.4, the detection method of the sheet detection device in the disclosure includes the step S10to the step S15. In the step S10, the first magnetic sensing element12generates a first voltage signal V1corresponding to the magnetic element11. In the step S11, the second magnetic sensing element13generates a second voltage signal V2corresponding to the magnetic element11. In the step S12, the processing element14determines a first relative position P1of the magnetic element11relative to the first magnetic sensing element12according to the first voltage signal V1. In the step S13, the processing element14determines a second relative position P2of the magnetic element11relative to the second magnetic sensing element13according to the second voltage signal V2. In the step S14, the processing element14determines a stopping position P of the magnetic element11according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2. In the step S15, the processing element14determines a sheet size of a paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91according to the stopping position P.

Specifically, for example, when the first voltage signal V1is corresponding to the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2 inFIG.3, such as 1.65 V), the processing element14is configured to determine the first relative position P1to be that the magnetic element11is located at the first magnetic sensing element12, and determine the second relative position P2to be that the magnetic element11is located at one side of the second magnetic sensing element13adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12. The processing element14is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located at the first magnetic sensing element12according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2.

It is worth mentioning that the magnetic element11being located at the first magnetic sensing element12indicates, for example, the magnetic element11being adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12, the central line (in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction D) of the magnetic element11being aligned with the central line of the first magnetic sensing element12, or the distance between the central line of the magnetic element11and the central line of the first magnetic sensing element12being the shortest distance, or the other conditions that the magnetic element11is adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12and the first voltage signal V1is generated, here is not intended to be limiting.

Further, the magnetic element11being located at one side of the second magnetic sensing element13adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12indicates that, for example, as shown inFIG.2, the magnetic element11is located at the right side of the second magnetic sensing element13. In other words, in the left side and right side of the second magnetic sensing element13, the magnetic element11is located at the side (that is, the right side inFIG.2) adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12.

Thus, when the processing element14determines the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located at the first magnetic sensing element12according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2, the processing element14is configured to determine that the sheet size of the paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91is corresponding to the sheet size defined by the position of the first magnetic sensing element12.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, when the first voltage signal V1is not corresponding to the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2 inFIG.3, such as 1.65 V) and the second voltage signal V2is corresponding to the predetermined voltage, the processing element14is configured to determine the first relative position P1to be that the magnetic element11is located at one side of the first magnetic sensing element12adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13, and determine the second relative position P2to be that the magnetic element11is located at the second magnetic sensing element13. The processing element14is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located at the second magnetic sensing element13according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2.

It is worth mentioning that the magnetic element11being located at one side of the first magnetic sensing element12adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13indicates, for example, as shown inFIG.5, the magnetic element11being located at the left side of the first magnetic sensing element12. In other words, in the left side and right side of the first magnetic sensing element12, the magnetic element11is located at the side (that is, the left side inFIG.5) adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13.

Further, the magnetic element11being located at the second magnetic sensing element13indicates that, for example, the magnetic element11is adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13, the central line (in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction D) of the magnetic element11is aligned with the central line of the second magnetic sensing element13, or the distance between the central line of the magnetic element11and the central line of the second magnetic sensing element13is the shortest distance, or the other conditions that the magnetic element11is adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13and the second voltage signal V2is generated, here is not intended to be limiting.

Thus, when the processing element14determines the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located at the second magnetic sensing element13according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2, the processing element14is configured to determine that the sheet size of the paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91is corresponding to the sheet size defined by the position of the second magnetic sensing element13.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, when both the first voltage signal V1and the second voltage signal V2are not corresponding to the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2 inFIG.3, such as 1.65 V), and the first voltage signal V1and the second voltage signal V2are at two sides of the predetermined voltage signal, the processing element14is configured to determine the first relative position P1to be that the magnetic element11is located at one side of the first magnetic sensing element12adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13, and determine the second relative position P2to be that the magnetic element11is located at one side of the second magnetic sensing element13adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12. The processing element14is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located between the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2.

It is worth mentioning that the magnetic element11being located at one side of the first magnetic sensing element12adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13indicates, for example, as shown inFIG.6, the magnetic element11being located at the left side of the first magnetic sensing element12. In other words, in the left side and right side of the first magnetic sensing element12, the magnetic element11is located at the side (that is, the left side inFIG.6) adjacent to the second magnetic sensing element13.

Further, the magnetic element11being located at one side of the second magnetic sensing element13adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12indicates that, for example, as shown inFIG.6, the magnetic element11is located at the right side of the second magnetic sensing element13. In other words, in the left side and right side of the second magnetic sensing element13, the magnetic element11is located at the side (that is, the right side inFIG.6) adjacent to the first magnetic sensing element12.

Thus, when the processing element14determines the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element11is located between the first magnetic sensing element12and the second magnetic sensing element13according to the first relative position P1and the second relative position P2, the processing element14is configured to determine that the sheet size of the paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91is corresponding to the sheet size defined by the relative position between the magnetic element11, the first magnetic sensing element12, and the second magnetic sensing element13.

In summary, the sheet detection device1and the detection method thereof of the embodiment have two magnetic sensing elements12,13disposed at different positions, and the magnetic sensing elements12,13generate different voltage signals V1, V2corresponding to the magnetic element11, respectively. Therefore, when the paper guide91moves to different positions with the magnetic element11and different magnetic sensing elements12,13generate different voltage signals V1, V2corresponding to the magnetic element11, the processing element14may be configured to determine the relative positions P1, P2of the magnetic element11with respect to the magnetic sensing elements12,13according to the voltage signals V1, V2, and further to precisely determine the position of the paper guide91with the magnetic element11. Comparing to the related art, which is solely structured by detecting “YES” or “NO” signal, in the sheet detection device1and the detection method thereof of the embodiment, when the magnetic element11is located at any position, the processing element14is configured to determine the relative position P1, P2of the magnetic element11according to the voltage signals V1, V2generated by the magnetic sensing elements12,13. As a result, the erroneous signal determination may be avoided, and the size of the sheet abutted by the paper guide91may be precisely determined.

FIG.7is a schematic diagram of a sheet detection device2incorporated with a paper tray9, in accordance with the second embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.8Ais a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device2, in accordance with the second embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.8Bis a schematic diagram of the relation between the relative position (of the magnetic sensing elements22A-22E and the magnetic element21) and the voltage signal.

Referring toFIG.7andFIG.8A, the difference between the sheet detection device2of the embodiment and the aforementioned sheet detection device1is that the paper guide91is left side and right side linked paper guide, and the sheet detection device2includes the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E in the number corresponding to the number of the predetermined sheet type. In the embodiment, the sheet detection device2including five magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E corresponding to the sheet size of A3, B4, Letter, A4, A5 is used as an example, here is not intended to be limiting.

It should be noted that the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E are corresponding to different sheet sizes, and the spacings between any adjacent two of the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E are all different. For example, the spacing D1is between the magnetic sensing element22A and the magnetic sensing element22B, the spacing D2is between the magnetic sensing element22B and the magnetic sensing element22C, the spacing D3is between the magnetic sensing element22C and the magnetic sensing element22D, the spacing D4is between the magnetic sensing element22D and the magnetic sensing element22E, and the spacings D1-D4are different from one another.

Further, in the embodiment, one magnetic element21is used as an example, here is not intended to be limiting. Two or more than two magnetic elements may be disposed depending on different design. The arrangement of the direction M1of the magnetic moment (the direction from south pole S to north pole N of the magnet) is the same with the moving direction D of the paper guide91away from the side wall of the paper tray9(that is, the moving direction D toward left inFIG.8A) as an example.

The magnetic sensing element22A is disposed on the paper tray9and corresponding to the sheet size of A5. The magnetic sensing element22B is disposed on the paper tray9and corresponding to the sheet size of A4. The magnetic sensing element22C is disposed on the paper tray9and corresponding to the sheet size of Letter. The magnetic sensing element22D is disposed on the paper tray9and corresponding to the sheet size of B4. The magnetic sensing element22E is disposed on the paper tray9and corresponding to the sheet size of A3.

Referring toFIG.8AandFIG.8B, in some embodiments, the magnetic element21may be, for example, magnet. The table 1 below shows, for example, one embodiment of the look-up table of the voltage signals V1, V2, V3, V4, V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E, when the magnetic element21respectively moves to be located at the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E, here is not intended to be limiting. The values may be different with different element specifications.

TABLE 1Voltage signal(V)V1V2V3V4V5Magnetic22A1.6531.81.651.65element's22B0.51.653.21.651.65position22C1.50.21.651.81.6522D1.651.651.41.65222E1.651.651.651.21.65

Therefore, when the user moves the paper guide91along the moving direction D in the paper tray9to abut against the paper, the magnetic element21moves with the paper guide91. For example, when the magnetic sensing element22A outputs the voltage signal V1(for example, 0.5V in table 1) corresponding to the magnetic element21, the magnetic sensing element22B outputs the voltage signal V2(for example, 1.65V in table 1) corresponding to the magnetic element21, and the magnetic sensing element22C outputs the voltage signal V3(for example, 3.2V in table 1) corresponding to the magnetic element21, the processing element14is configured to determine that the magnetic element21is located at the right side of the magnetic sensing element22A (as shown inFIG.8A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element22A adjacent to the magnetic sensing element22B) based on the voltage signal V1smaller than the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V), determine that the magnetic element21is located at the magnetic sensing element22B based on the voltage signal V2equal to the predetermined voltage signal, and determine that the magnetic element21is located at the left side of the magnetic sensing element22C (as shown inFIG.8A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element22C adjacent to the magnetic sensing element22B) based on the voltage signal V3greater than the predetermined voltage signal. As a result, the processing element24is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element21is located at the magnetic sensing element22B according to the relative positions of the magnetic element21relative to the magnetic sensing element22A-22C.

It should be noted that the voltage signals V4, V5of the magnetic sensing element22D,22E are also equal to the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V), but the processing element24is configured to determine that the magnetic element21is located at the left side of the magnetic sensing element22C based on the voltage signal V3, thereby the processing element24determining that the magnetic element21is not located at the magnetic sensing element22D,22E.

It is worth mentioning that the magnetic element21being located at the magnetic sensing element22B indicates, for example, the magnetic element21being adjacent to the magnetic sensing element22B, the central line (in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction D) of the magnetic element21being aligned with the central line of the magnetic sensing element22B, or the distance between the central line of the magnetic element21and the central line of the magnetic sensing element22B being the shortest distance, or the other conditions that the magnetic element21is adjacent to the magnetic sensing element22B and the voltage signal V2is generated, here is not intended to be limiting.

Therefore, when the processing element24determines the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element21is located at the magnetic sensing element22B according to the relative positions of the magnetic element21, the processing element24is configured to determine that the sheet size of the paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91is corresponding to the sheet size defined by the position of the magnetic sensing element22B (for example, the sheet size of A4).

Specifically, the processing element24may determine the relative positions of the magnetic element21according to table 1, and further determine the stopping position P of the magnetic element21. The determination results may be organized as table 2 below. In other words, the processing element24may be configured to determine that the magnetic element21is located at one side of the magnetic sensing elements22A,22B,22C,22D,22E, determine the position of the magnetic element21by union of sets, and determine the sheet size of the paper abutted by the paper guide91.

TABLE 2Position determinationV1V2V3V4V5Magnetic22AXLeftRightXXelement'ssidesideposition22BRightXLeftXXsideside22CRightRightXLeftXsidesideside22DXXRightXLeftsideside22EXXXRightXside

It should be noted that the aforementioned left side or right side is corresponding to the direction toward left or right of the moving direction D inFIG.8A.

In summary, the sheet detection device2and the detection method thereof of the embodiment are using the magnetic sensing elements22A-22E of the number corresponding to the predetermined sheet type disposed at different positions, and the magnetic sensing elements22A-22E generate different voltage signals V1-V5corresponding to the magnetic element21, respectively. Therefore, when the paper guide91moves to different positions with the magnetic element21and different magnetic sensing elements22A-22E generate different voltage signals V1-V5corresponding to the magnetic element21, the processing element24may be configured to determine the relative positions of the magnetic element21with respect to the magnetic sensing elements22A-22E according to the voltage signals V1-V5, and further to precisely determine the position of the paper guide91with the magnetic element21. Comparing to the related art, which is solely structured by detecting “YES” or “NO” signal, in the sheet detection device2and the detection method thereof of the embodiment, when the magnetic element21is located at any position, the processing element24is configured to determine the relative positions of the magnetic element21according to the voltage signals V1-V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements22A-22E. As a result, the erroneous signal determination may be avoided, and the size of the sheet abutted by the paper guide91may be precisely determined.

FIG.9Ais a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device3, in accordance with the third embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.9Bis a schematic diagram of the relation between the relative position (of the magnetic sensing elements32A-32E and the magnetic element31) and the voltage signal.

Referring toFIG.9AandFIG.9B, the difference between the sheet detection device3of the embodiment and the aforementioned sheet detection device2is that the direction M2of the magnetic moment (the direction from south pole S to north pole N of the magnet) of the magnetic element31is the same with the moving direction D of the paper guide91close to the side wall of the paper tray9(that is, the moving direction D toward right inFIG.9A)

The arrangement of the magnetic sensing element32A,32B,32C,32D,32E are similar to the arrangement of the magnetic sensing element22A,22B,22C,22D,22E, here is omitted for brevity.

In some embodiments, the table 3 below shows, for example, one embodiment of the look-up table of the voltage signals V1, V2, V3, V4, V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements32A,32B,32C,32D,32E, when the magnetic element31respectively moves to be located at the magnetic sensing elements32A,32B,32C,32D,32E, here is not intended to be limiting. The values may be different with different element specifications.

TABLE 3Voltage signal(V)V1V2V3V4V5Magnetic32A1.650.51.51.651.65element's32B31.650.21.651.65position32C1.83.21.651.41.6532D1.651.651.81.651.232E1.651.651.6521.65

In other words, when the direction M2of the magnetic moment of the magnetic element31is opposite to the direction M1of the magnetic moment (as shown inFIG.8A), the determining manner of the voltage signal V1-V5with respect to the predetermined voltage signal is also opposite to the determining manner in the second embodiment.

Therefore, when the user moves the paper guide91along the moving direction D in the paper tray9to abut against the paper, the magnetic element31moves with the paper guide91. For example, when the magnetic sensing element32A outputs the voltage signal V1(for example, 3V in table 3) corresponding to the magnetic element31, the magnetic sensing element32B outputs the voltage signal V2(for example, 1.65V in table 3) corresponding to the magnetic element31, and the magnetic sensing element32C outputs the voltage signal V3(for example, 0.2V in table 3) corresponding to the magnetic element31, the processing element34is configured to determine that the magnetic element31is located at the right side of the magnetic sensing element32A (as shown inFIG.9A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element32A adjacent to the magnetic sensing element32B) based on the voltage signal V1greater than the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V), determine that the magnetic element31is located at the magnetic sensing element32B based on the voltage signal V2equal to the predetermined voltage signal, and determine that the magnetic element31is located at the left side of the magnetic sensing element32C (as shown inFIG.9A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element32C adjacent to the magnetic sensing element32B) based on the voltage signal V3greater than the predetermined voltage signal. As a result, the processing element34is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element31is located at the magnetic sensing element32B according to the relative positions of the magnetic element31relative to the magnetic sensing element32A-32C.

Similarly, the voltage signals V4, V5of the magnetic sensing element32D,32E are also equal to the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V), but the processing element34is configured to determine that the magnetic element31is located at the left side of the magnetic sensing element32C based on the voltage signal V3, thereby the processing element34determining that the magnetic element31is not located at the magnetic sensing element32D,32E.

Therefore, when the processing element34determines the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element31is located at the magnetic sensing element32B according to the relative positions of the magnetic element31, the processing element34is configured to determine that the sheet size of the paper (not shown in figures) abutted by the paper guide91is corresponding to the sheet size defined by the position of the magnetic sensing element32B (for example, the sheet size of A4).

Specifically, similar to the description in the second embodiment, the processing element34may determine the relative positions of the magnetic element31according to table 3, and further determine the stopping position P of the magnetic element31. The determination results may be organized as table 2. In other words, the processing element34may be configured to determine that the magnetic element31is located at one side of the magnetic sensing elements32A,32B,32C,32D,32E, determine the position of the magnetic element31by union of sets, and determine the sheet size of the paper abutted by the paper guide91.

In summary, in the sheet detection device3and the detection method thereof of the embodiment, when the magnetic element31is located at any position, the processing element34is configured to determine the relative positions of the magnetic element31according to the voltage signals V1-V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements32A-32E. As a result, the erroneous signal determination may be avoided, and the size of the sheet abutted by the paper guide91may be precisely determined. Further, the design freedom of the sheet detection device3and the detection method thereof may be increased by the different arrangement in the direction of the magnetic moment of the magnetic element31.

FIG.10Ais a schematic diagram of a using state of the sheet detection device4, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.10Bis a schematic diagram of the relation between the relative position (of the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E and the magnetic element41) and the voltage signal.

Referring toFIG.10AandFIG.10B, the difference between the sheet detection device4of the embodiment and the aforementioned sheet detection device2is that the spacings between any adjacent two of the magnetic sensing elements42A,42B,42C,42D,42E are all the same. For example, the spacing D1is between the magnetic sensing element42A and the magnetic sensing element42B, the spacing D2is between the magnetic sensing element42B and the magnetic sensing element42C, the spacing D3is between the magnetic sensing element42C and the magnetic sensing element42D, the spacing D4is between the magnetic sensing element42D and the magnetic sensing element42E, and the spacings D1-D4are all the same. In the embodiment, the sheet detection device4including five magnetic sensing elements42A,42B,42C,42D,42E is used as an example, here is not intended to be limiting. Two or more than two magnetic sensing elements may be disposed depending on different design. Moreover, the distance of the spacings D1-D4is not limiting, here uses 10 mm as an example.

The arrangement of the direction M1of the magnetic moment of the magnetic element41is using that the direction M1of the magnetic moment is the same with the moving direction D of the paper guide91away from the side wall of the paper tray9(that is, the moving direction D toward left inFIG.10A) as an example.

In some embodiments, the table 4 below shows, for example, one embodiment of the look-up table of the voltage signals V1-V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E, when the magnetic element41is distanced differently with respect to the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E, here is not intended to be limiting. The values may be different with different element specifications. It should be noted that negative distance indicates that the magnetic element41is located at left side of the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E (the moving direction D toward left inFIG.10A), and positive distance indicates that the magnetic element41is located at right side of the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E (the moving direction D toward right inFIG.10A).

TABLE 4Distance of magnetic elementVoltage signal(mm)(V)−20.001.65−19.381.65−18.751.66−18.131.66−17.501.67−16.881.68−16.251.71−15.631.74−15.001.79−14.381.83−13.751.88−13.131.97−12.502.02−11.882.11−11.252.18−10.632.27−10.002.37−9.382.46−8.752.60−8.132.74−7.502.94−6.883.09−6.253.16−5.633.15−5.003.09−4.383.03−3.752.89−3.132.72−2.502.57−1.882.34−1.252.14−0.631.940.631.481.251.251.881.022.500.823.130.643.750.504.380.365.000.265.630.166.250.146.880.167.500.268.130.398.750.539.380.7110.000.8210.630.9411.251.0411.881.1312.501.2113.131.3113.751.3614.381.4215.001.4915.631.5416.251.5616.881.5917.501.6218.131.6318.751.6419.381.6420.001.65

Therefore, when the user moves the paper guide91along the moving direction D in the paper tray9to abut against the paper, the magnetic element21moves with the paper guide91. Hereafter uses that the magnetic element41is located between the magnetic sensing element42A and the magnetic sensing element42B as an example to describe the determining manner of the processing element44. When the magnetic element41is located between the magnetic sensing element42A and the magnetic sensing element42B, the voltage signals V1-V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E corresponding to the magnetic element41is as, for example, the table 5 below. Here uses six sections (that is, five positioning locations42A-1-42A-5are further defined between the magnetic sensing element42A and the magnetic sensing element42B) as an example, here is not intended to be limiting. The spacings D1-D4between the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E may be divided into different number of sections depending on the requirement. For example, the spacings D1-D4between the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E may be further divided into more sections (such as more than five positioning locations) to more precisely determine the position of the magnetic element41.

TABLE 5Voltage signal(V)V1V2V3V4V5Magnetic42A1.652.41.651.651.65element's42A-11.12.71.71.651.65position42A-20.63.11.71.651.6542A-30.33.11.81.651.6542A-40.22.721.651.6542A-50.42.22.21.651.65

For example, when the magnetic element41is located at the location42A-3, the magnetic sensing element42outputs the voltage signal V1as 0.3V corresponding to the magnetic element41, the magnetic sensing element42B outputs the voltage signal V2as 3.1V corresponding to the magnetic element41, the processing element44is configured to determine that the magnetic element41is located at the right side of the magnetic sensing element42A (as shown inFIG.10A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element42A adjacent to the magnetic sensing element42B) based on the voltage signal V1smaller than the predetermined voltage signal (for example, Vcc/2, such as 1.65V), determine that the magnetic element41is located at the left side of the magnetic sensing element42B (as shown inFIG.10A, that is, the side of the magnetic sensing element42B adjacent to the magnetic sensing element42A) based on the voltage signal V2greater than the predetermined voltage signal.

Further, the processing element44is configured to determine that the magnetic element41is approximately located at 5 mm from the right side (table 4 indicates that 5 mm is corresponding to 0.26V) of the magnetic sensing element42A based on the voltage signal V1being 0.3V, and determine that the magnetic element41is approximately located at 5 mm from the left side (table 4 indicates that −5 mm is corresponding to 3.09V) or 6.88 mm from the left side (table 4 indicates that −6.88 mm is also corresponding to 3.09V) of the magnetic sensing element42B based on the voltage signal V2being 3.1V. As a result, the processing element44is configured to determine the stopping position P to be that the magnetic element41is located at 5 mm from the right side of the magnetic sensing element42A and 5 mm from the left side of the magnetic sensing element42B (that is, the location42A-3) through logic comparison.

Therefore, when the processing element44determines the distances of the stopping position P of the magnetic element41relative to different magnetic sensing elements42A-42E according to the voltage signals V1-V5generated by the magnetic sensing elements42A-42E, the processing element44may determine the location of the paper guide91, and determine the sheet size of the paper being abutted according to the distance configuration.

As described above, the sheet detection device4and the detection method thereof of the embodiment may not need to have the number of the magnetic sensing elements corresponding to the number of the predetermined sheet type, and have a smaller number of magnetic sensing elements instead. By different magnetic sensing elements generating different voltage signals corresponding to the magnetic element41, the processing element44may be configured to determine the relative positions of the magnetic element41relative to the magnetic sensing elements according to the voltage signals to precisely determine the location of the paper guide91with the magnetic element21. Moreover, apart from the erroneous signal determination being avoided and the size of the sheet abutted by the paper guide91being precisely determined, the total cost may be further decreased.

In summary, the sheet detection device and the detection method thereof of the disclosure have at least two magnetic sensing elements disposed at different positions, and the magnetic sensing elements generate different voltage signals corresponding to the magnetic element, respectively. Therefore, when the paper guide moves to different positions with the magnetic element and different magnetic sensing elements generate different voltage signals corresponding to the magnetic element, the processing element may be configured to determine the relative positions of the magnetic element with respect to the magnetic sensing elements according to the voltage signals, and further to precisely determine the position of the paper guide with the magnetic element. Comparing to the related art, which is solely structured by detecting “YES” or “NO” signal, in the sheet detection device and the detection method thereof of the disclosure, when the magnetic element is located at any position, the processing element is configured to determine the relative position of the magnetic element according to the voltage signals generated by the magnetic sensing elements. As a result, the erroneous signal determination may be avoided, and the size of the sheet abutted by the paper guide may be precisely determined.

Further, the design freedom of the sheet detection device and the detection method thereof may be increased by the different arrangement in the direction of the magnetic moment of the magnetic element. Moreover, the sheet detection device and the detection method thereof of the embodiment may not need to have the number of the magnetic sensing elements corresponding to the number of the predetermined sheet type, and have a smaller number of magnetic sensing elements instead to decrease the total cost.

While this disclosure has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure set forth in the claims.