Belt-Driven Document Scanner for Delicate Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document scanners are limited in processing small, rigid, or delicate documents, as they often damage these substrates due to complex document paths and size constraints.

Innovation Solution

A belt-driven document scanning device with first and second image sensors positioned along a horizontal document path, using driven belts and idler rollers to transport documents without flipping them, ensuring a straight path and minimizing stress on the documents, allowing for scanning of both sides without inverting the document.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing rollers and complex document paths are used, then scanning capability is provided, but small, rigid, or delicate documents are damaged or cannot be processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to process various document sizes and typesVSAvoiddamage to documents

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The document path is segmented into distinct zones: a gentle curved entry section, a straight scanning section, and an exit section. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function - the curved section gently guides documents without stress, while the straight section provides stable scanning, thereby protecting delicate documents from damage while maintaining scanning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional multi-turn three-dimensional document paths to a substantially two-dimensional planar path with minimal vertical displacement. This dimensional simplification eliminates complex folding and turning operations that cause document stress, while still enabling duplex scanning through strategic positioning of sensors and platen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If traditional document paths with turns and flips are used, then duplex scanning is achieved, but document stress and risk of damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwo-sided scanning capabilityVSAvoiddocument integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A curved guide section is provided at the document input end that pre-position and gently guide documents onto the scanning path before they reach the scanning zone. This preliminary guiding action prevents documents from entering the scanning area at awkward angles or with excessive velocity, thereby reducing stress during the scanning process while maintaining duplex capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of flipping the document vertically to scan the second side, the invention reverses the approach by scanning both sides of the document while it travels horizontally in the same direction. The document is scanned on one side, then continued to travel through the path and scanned on the opposite side without being inverted, thereby eliminating flip-induced stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Area of stationary object

If size-constrained roller feeds are used, then compact device structure is maintained, but processing of small documents becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidhandling of small documents

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces rigid roller feeds with a flexible belt-based transport system. The belt can accommodate documents of varying sizes including very small documents, as it provides a continuous supportive surface rather than discrete roller contact points. This flexible transport mechanism maintains compact device dimensions while significantly improving ease of handling small, rigid, or delicate documents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10212304B2Document scanner

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A document scanning device includes first and second image sensors spaced along a document path and positioned to scan first and second sides of an input document. A first driven belt is configured to receive the input document directly onto a first surface of the first driven belt and transports the document past the first image sensor, where a first side of the document is scanned. A second driven belt, horizontally spaced from the first driven belt, receives the document after it has been scanned by the second image sensor and transports the document to an output. The device is suited to scanning of a variety of substrates and document sizes, such as normal, small, rigid, or delicate documents as the document path can be substantially straight and provide support for the document during scanning allowing delicate, small or rigid documents to be scanned.