Document Feeder Sensor Layout for Ejection Port Collision Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Document feeding devices require multiple sensors to prevent mechanical malfunction, leading to increased costs due to mechanical malfunction, increased costs due to mechanical malfunction, increased costs due to mechanical malfunction, and increased complexity, and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A document feeding device with a simplified sensor configuration, including a feeding tray, output tray, transportation device, lifting devices, and sensors to detect sheet presence and prevent collisions, eliminating the need for additional sensors to detect ejection port range limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are installed to detect ejection port position and prevent mechanical malfunction, then the reliability of the document feeding device is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of mechanical malfunctionVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collision prevention sensor is configured to perform multiple functions: it detects the upper limit position of the ejection port, prevents mechanical collision between the ejection port and feeding tray, and serves as a reference for determining the movable range upper limit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the collision prevention sensor in conjunction with the feeding tray upper limit position to automatically determine the upper limit of the ejection port movable range. The controller calculates and sets the movable range upper limit based on the detected positions, making the system self-configuring without requiring additional sensors or manual setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple sensors are installed to detect ejection port position and prevent mechanical malfunction, then the reliability of the document feeding device is improved, but the cost of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of mechanical malfunctionVSAvoidcost of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The collision prevention sensor performs multiple functions including detecting the ejection port upper limit position, preventing mechanical collision, and serving as a reference for movable range determination. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the collision prevention sensor in conjunction with the feeding tray upper limit position to automatically determine the upper limit of the ejection port movable range. The controller calculates and sets the movable range upper limit based on the detected positions, making the system self-configuring without requiring additional sensors or manual setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4647377A1Document feeding device and image scanning apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4647377A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4647377A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4647377A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a document feeding device (4), an ejection port (15) outputs a document sheet to an output tray (14). A first lifting device (22) lifts and lowers a feeding tray (11). A second lifting device (23) lifts and lowers the ejection port. A feeding-tray sheet sensor (41) detects that there is a document sheet on the feeding tray. A feeding-tray upperlimit sensor (42) detects that the feeding tray reaches a first upperlimit height position. Further, the collision prevention sensor (43) is lifted and lowered in conjunction with the feeding tray, and detects that the ejection port reaches a second upperlimit height position. An upperlimit of a movable range of the ejection port is set to be the second upperlimit height position detected in a condition that the feeding tray without any document sheets reaches the first upperlimit height position.