Document Placement Tray Elevating Mechanism for Faster Scanning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Document transport devices require a long time to raise the document placement tray from the lower limit to the upper limit position, delaying the start of document reading due to the need to move it a significant distance, which increases the time from user instruction to actual document reading.

Innovation Solution

A document transport device with an elevating mechanism that raises the document placement tray to a standby position just below the upper limit when a document is detected, and then moves it to the upper limit only when a document reading instruction is received, allowing for immediate document feeding and reading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the document placement tray is raised from the lower limit position to the upper limit position when a document is placed, then the document can be fed to the reading device, but the time required for document reading initiation is increased due to the long distance movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument feeding reliabilityVSAvoidtime from user instruction to document reading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by raising the document placement tray to the upper limit position automatically when a document is detected, before the user gives the reading instruction. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the reading instruction is received, the tray is already in the correct position for immediate document feeding, eliminating the need for long distance movement during the actual reading operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic positioning by allowing the document placement tray to be raised to different positions (lower limit position, standby position, or upper limit position) based on real-time conditions. The tray remains at the standby position during normal operation and only moves to the upper limit position when a document is actually placed, creating a dynamic response that optimizes both time and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the document placement tray is raised to the upper limit position immediately when a document is detected, then the document can be read quickly, but the convenience for document arrangement and insertion/removal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument reading speedVSAvoidconvenience for document arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning by raising the tray to the upper limit position automatically when a document is detected, so that when the user gives the reading instruction, the tray is already in the correct position. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment and maintains productivity while preserving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically detecting when a document is placed and autonomously positioning the tray at the appropriate height. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust the tray position, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring the tray is ready for immediate document feeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the document placement tray is raised to the upper limit position only when a document reading instruction is received, then the time for document reading is reduced, but the document feeding reliability is compromised due to potential positioning delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime from user instruction to document readingVSAvoiddocument feeding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by raising the document placement tray to the upper limit position automatically when a document is detected, before the user gives the reading instruction. This ensures that when the reading instruction is received, the tray is already in the correct position for immediate document feeding, eliminating positioning delays and ensuring both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the document detection sensor to automatically trigger the tray positioning action. When a document is detected, the sensor provides feedback to the controller, which then activates the elevating mechanism to raise the tray to the upper limit position. This feedback-based control ensures reliable timing and positioning without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240383699A1Document transport device and image forming apparatus that raises and lowers document placement tray

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A document transport device includes a controller that, when a document detection sensor has detected a document on a document placement tray, controls driving of an elevating mechanism that raises the document placement tray from a lower limit position to an upper limit position to temporarily raise the document placement tray to the upper limit position and then move the document placement tray to a standby position which is a predetermined distance below and stop moving the document placement tray. The standby position is set to a position that is between the upper limit position and the lower limit position and closer to the upper limit position than to the lower limit position.