Document Feeding Device Width Sensing and Conveyance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Document feeding devices struggle to handle mixed-size documents efficiently in regular mode, leading to interruptions and potential paper jams when the maximum document width sensed differs from the width of individual documents being conveyed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a document feeding device with first and second document width sensing units and a controller that interrupts and restarts the conveying process when a mismatch is detected, allowing for seamless handling of documents of different sizes by switching between regular and mixed-size document modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveying section continuously conveys documents without interruption, then productivity is improved, but paper jams occur when document width mismatch is detected
Solution Approach 1:
The first document width sensing unit senses the maximum document width in advance before conveying begins. The controller compares this pre-sensed maximum width with the actual document width sensed by the second sensing unit during conveying. By performing the width sensing and comparison action beforehand and during the conveying process, the system can detect mismatches early and interrupt conveying proactively to prevent paper jams, while maintaining continuous operation when documents are of uniform width.
2Reliability
If the conveying section interrupts conveying when document width mismatch is detected, then paper jams are prevented, but productivity decreases due to restartable interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control through two document width sensing units that continuously monitor document widths. The controller receives real-time feedback from both sensing units and dynamically adjusts conveying operation. When the sensed maximum document width differs from the actual document width, the controller interrupts conveying and notifies the user. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable paper jam prevention while minimizing productivity loss by enabling quick resumption after user intervention.
3Device complexity
If a single document width sensing unit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is insufficient to detect all document width variations
Solution Approach 1:
The document width sensing function is segmented into two independent sensing units with distinct roles: the first document width sensing unit senses the maximum document width in the stack beforehand, while the second document width sensing unit senses the actual document width during conveying. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific measurement task, improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single overly complex sensing system. The divided functions enable comprehensive width detection and comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
A document feeding device has: a document placement stand on which documents of different sizes can be placed; a conveying section separating, one-by-one, documents of a document stack placed on the document placement stand, and conveying a separated document to a discharging section; a first document width sensing unit sensing a maximum document width of the document stack placed on the document placement stand; a second document width sensing unit sensing a document width of a document separated from the document placement stand by the conveying section; and a controller that, in a case in which a mixed size document mode that permits conveying of documents of different sizes is not set, causes the conveying section to restartably interrupt conveying of the document when the maximum document width sensed by the first document width sensing unit and the document width sensed by the second document width sensing unit differ.