US 5,966,572 A · Photoconductor belt seam detection

Abstract

An electrophotographic printing machine that has a photoconductive belt with a skewed seam thereon. The position of the skewed seam is detected by a pair of seam detection devices. The seam detection devices are spaced from one another and adapted to transmit a pair of signals with the signals having a time interval therebetween. These signals are inputted to a detection circuit and, if the time interval between signals is within a preselected tolerance, the detection circuit generates a seam indication signal. In this way, scratches on the photoconductive surface may be discriminated from the seam.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for sensing a seam of a photoconductive belt mounted for movement, with the seam extending in a direction substantially transverse to a side edge of the photoconductive belt, including:

a first seam detection device positioned to detect a first portion of the seam and generating a first signal indicative thereof;
a second seam detection device, spaced from said first seam detection device, to detect a second portion of the seam and generating a second signal indicative thereof, with there being a time interval between the first signal and the second signal;
and
a detection circuit, in communication with said first seam detection device and said second seam detection device, for generating a seam identification signal in response to the first signal and the second signal, and the time interval therebetween being within prescribed tolerances.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Photoconductor belt seam detection

Life of this patent

Photoconductor belt seam detection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14