Compact Document Feeder with U-Shaped Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic document feeders (ADFs) with U-shaped document transporting pathways become oversized due to the placement of components like document discharging trays and rollers, leading to a complex and bulky structure.
Innovation Solution
A compact ADF design with a U-shaped document transporting pathway where the discharging portion is positioned higher than the feeding portion, incorporating a reverse transporting mechanism, pulling device, and separating-transporting device aligned within the height range of the reverse roller, and an openable pathway cover to simplify the structure and reduce height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the document discharging tray is disposed under the document stacking tray, then a space large enough to place a hand of an operator therein is present between the trays, but the ADF becomes oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the discharging tray above the stacking tray instead of below it. This inversion allows the discharging tray to be placed at a higher position where it does not interfere with the operator's hand space, while the stacking tray remains accessible below. The inverted arrangement eliminates the need for excessive vertical space between trays.
2Reliability
If the pickup roller, transporting rollers and discharging rollers are disposed at positions higher than the contact rollers, then the document conveying path is established, but the ADF structure becomes complicated and oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple rollers into a more integrated arrangement. The pickup roller, transporting rollers, and discharging rollers are positioned to work in sequence within a compact vertical space rather than being distributed across multiple elevated levels. This consolidation reduces structural complexity while maintaining reliable document conveying through the U-shaped path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension efficiently by arranging rollers at different heights within a compact range. Instead of extending the conveying path horizontally across multiple levels, the U-shaped pathway folds back vertically, allowing all necessary rollers to be positioned within a limited height range above the contact rollers, thus reducing overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If components are disposed at higher positions to establish the U-shaped transporting pathway, then document reading function is achieved, but the ADF height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical arrangement by positioning the discharging tray above rather than below the stacking tray. This inversion allows the U-shaped transporting pathway to be configured such that the document passes through the reading position at a moderate height, and the discharging portion is elevated to prevent interference with the stacking operation, thereby controlling overall ADF height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an openable pathway cover that can move between a closed position (during normal operation) and an open position (for maintenance or paper jam removal). This dynamic element allows the system to maintain a compact closed structure while providing access when needed, effectively managing the height constraint without compromising the reading function.
Data Source
AI summary
A document feeder includes a reverse transporting mechanism that forms a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway for carrying a document from a feeding tray located at a lower side to a discharging tray located at an upper side through a reading position, a pulling device, a separating transporting device and a openable pathway cover. The pulling device and the separating-transporting device are arranged at substantially the same horizontal level within the height that is occupied by the reverse transporting mechanism. The pathway cover is capable of opening and closing to cover on the pulling device, the separating-transporting device and the reverse transporting mechanism.