Automatic Document Feeder Sound Detection for Fastener Jams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic document feeders fail to detect fastening objects like clips attached to documents, leading to potential jams due to the absence of effective sound detection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sound generator with protrusions or recesses along the document conveyance path and a sound collector to detect the contact between the fastening object and the document, coupled with circuitry to predict the presence of such objects based on collected sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sound detector is disposed downstream from the feeder to detect jams by sound volume, then jam detection capability is improved, but fastening objects attached to documents cannot be detected because no sound occurs after the fastening object passes by the contactor
Solution Approach 1:
A contactor is introduced as an intermediary object between the document conveyor and the sound detector. The contactor makes contact with fastening objects (clips, staples, etc.) attached to documents during conveyance, generating detectable sound signals. This mediator enables the sound detector to indirectly detect fastening objects that would otherwise produce no direct sound during document feeding.
2Productivity
If the document conveyor continuously feeds multiple documents one by one, then productivity is improved, but the risk of jams increases when fastening objects are attached to documents
Solution Approach 1:
The sound detector provides real-time feedback about fastening objects detected during document conveyance. When a fastening object is detected through sound signals generated by contact with the contactor, the system can immediately respond by stopping or adjusting the document conveyor, preventing jams before they occur and maintaining continuous reliable operation.
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
Effectively prevents document jams by detecting fastening objects, ensuring smooth conveyance and enhancing the reliability of the document feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
The sound collector collects sound generated by contact between the sound generator and a fastening object attached to the document
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic document feeder includes a document stacker, a document conveyor, a sound generator, a sound collector, and circuitry. The document stacker is a receptacle on which a document is placed. The document conveyor conveys the document on the document stacker along a document conveyance path in a conveyance direction. The sound generator is on a surface of the document conveyance path, and has a protrusion or a recess protruding or recessed from the surface of the document conveyance path, and extending continuously or intermittently from one end to another end of the document conveyance path in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The sound collector collects sound generated by contact between the sound generator and a fastening object attached to the document. The circuitry is to predict whether the fastening object is attached to the document, based on the sound collected by the sound collector.