Document Conveying Cover Mechanism for Half-Open Tray Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document conveying devices face issues with the discharge tray being improperly detected in a half-open state, leading to documents being discharged despite the tray not being fully closed, especially when handling small or large documents.
Innovation Solution
A document conveying device equipped with a cover system comprising a first and second cover plate, a stopper, and a biasing member, where the stopper's movable end is locked to an elongated hole and biased by a torsion coil spring to ensure the discharge tray is fully closed, preventing half-open states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detection sensor is used to detect the closed state of the discharge tray, then the document discharge can be controlled, but the half-open state cannot be reliably detected, leading to improper document discharge control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the detection sensor-based mechanical detection system with a force-based detection mechanism. The biasing member (spring) applies a predetermined force to the stopper, and the control unit detects the closed state by monitoring whether this biasing force is being counteracted by the cover's weight in the fully closed position. This substitution eliminates the half-open state detection problem while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from positional detection (whether the cover is at a specific location) to force detection (whether the biasing force is being counteracted). By monitoring the force balance between the spring's biasing force and the cover's weight, the system can reliably detect the fully closed state and prevent document discharge in half-open states.
2Ease of operation
If the discharge tray is allowed to remain in a half-open state, then the device structure is simplified, but documents may be discharged improperly causing operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the biasing member to continuously apply a closing force to the cover, preventing it from remaining in a half-open state. The spring's biasing force actively counteracts any tendency of the cover to stay partially open, ensuring the cover returns to the fully closed position and preventing improper document discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring the force balance on the stopper. When the cover is in the fully closed position, the biasing force is counteracted by the cover's weight, and the control unit detects this state to enable or disable document discharge. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable document discharge control based on the actual cover position.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cover weight force F1 in closing direction is made larger than F2 in opening direction, then the cover reliably closes, but the stopper positioning becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the stopper at a specific location on the elongated hole where the biasing force and gravitational force are balanced. The spring is pre-loaded to exert a predetermined biasing force that, when combined with the cover's weight, creates a stable equilibrium position. This pre-positioning ensures the stopper naturally settles at the correct location without requiring high manufacturing precision during assembly.
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
The solution ensures accurate detection of the discharge tray's closed state, preventing document discharge in half-open positions and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member moves the movable end of the stopper to a position P separated by a predetermined distance from the one end of the elongated hole
Implementation Method 2
a force for turning the cover in a closing direction caused by its own weight is set to F1
Data Source
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AI summary
A document conveying device (1) includes a cover (17), a rigid stopper (95), and a biasing member (97). The cover (17) includes a first cover plate (91) and a second cover plate (93). The stopper (95) is rigid, has a fixed end (95b) rotatably connected to the cover (17) and a movable end (95b) moving in an elongated hole (113) formed in the device main body (11) accordance with a turning of the cover (17), and supports the cover (17) in a fully opened posture when the movable end (95b) is locked to one end of the elongated hole (113). The biasing member (97) moves the movable end (95b) of the stopper (95) to a position P separated by a predetermined distance from the one end of the elongated hole (113).