Document Discharge Control Using Motor Rotation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction printers (MFPs) using the sheet feed method struggle with efficiently handling large or long documents, as they often drop out of the apparatus due to the need for manual document release after reading.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus equipped with a first roller pair for conveying documents, a reading unit for scanning, a second roller pair for further conveying, a discharge port, a motor, a sensor to detect motor rotation, and a control unit that automatically discharges documents when a predetermined motor rotation is detected, eliminating the need for manual release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the discharge roller holds the document to prevent it from dropping out, then the document is retained in the apparatus, but the user must manually press a discharge key to release the holding state
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the document has been fully conveyed through the reading unit and autonomously triggers the discharge roller to release the document. The sensor monitors motor rotation to determine document position, eliminating the need for user intervention to press a discharge key while maintaining reliable document retention during the reading process
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback on motor rotation to the control unit, which uses this information to determine when the document has reached the discharge position. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically trigger document discharge at the appropriate moment without user input
2Ease of operation
If the user holds the document with one hand and operates the operation panel with the other hand, then the discharge key can be pressed, but the handling becomes complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the discharge operation autonomously based on sensor detection, eliminating the need for the user to manually press the discharge key. This self-service approach simplifies user handling from a two-handed operation to a simple document collection action
3Volume of moving object
If the document is conveyed under a fixed line sensor using sheet feed method, then the apparatus size is reduced, but large-sized or long documents may drop out of the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts when the document will reach the discharge position based on motor rotation detection and proactively triggers the discharge roller to hold the document. This preliminary action prevents the document from dropping out before it can fall, ensuring reliable discharge for large-sized or long documents while maintaining compact apparatus size
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
This solution improves document handling by automatically discharging documents after reading, preventing them from dropping and ensuring easier user collection without the need for manual operation of the discharge key.
Implementation Method 1
a second roller pair provided downstream of the reading unit in the first direction and configured to convey the document
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to detect a rotation of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A reading apparatus includes a first roller pair configured to convey a document in a first direction, a reading unit provided downstream of the first roller pair in the first direction and configured to read the document, a second roller pair provided downstream of the reading unit in the first direction and configured to convey the document, a discharge port provided downstream of the second roller pair in the first direction and configured to discharge the document out of the apparatus, a motor configured to drive the second roller pair, a sensor configured to detect a rotation of the motor, and a control unit configured to, when the sensor detects a predetermined rotation of the motor while the document having been read by the reading unit is held and stopped via the second roller pair, drive the second roller pair to discharge the document from the discharge port.