Document Tray Rotation for Automatic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operability of image reading apparatuses with inclined document trays is compromised due to the need for user intervention to align documents, which affects the efficiency of document setting and reading operations.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a document tray that rotates based on detection of document absence, allowing automatic adjustment between states enabling or disabling feeding operations, thereby simplifying document alignment and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the document tray is inclined to the front side to enable document alignment by weight, then document alignment is improved, but the user needs to manually operate to incline the tray which reduces operability
Solution Approach 1:
The document tray automatically inclines itself by rotating around the rotating shaft when the discharge tray becomes full, without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the tray inclination based on detection of document presence on the discharge tray, thereby maintaining alignment functionality while eliminating manual operation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The document tray is designed to be dynamically adjustable in its inclination angle. It can rotate between a first state (inclined to front side for alignment) and a second state (disinclined for document setting), allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational conditions detected by the detection unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If the document tray is inclined to the front side, then document alignment is achieved, but user intervention is required which affects document setting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically inclining the document tray before document setting is needed. When the discharge tray is detected to be full, the tray proactively rotates to the inclined position in advance, so that when the user needs to set documents, the alignment function is already active without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The document tray automatically adjusts its own inclination state based on detection of discharge tray fullness, eliminating the need for user intervention to activate alignment mode, thereby improving document setting efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the document tray is manually inclined by user operation, then the tray aligns documents, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The document tray automatically rotates to the inclined position without user intervention when the discharge tray is full, eliminating the time users would spend manually operating the tray, while still achieving the document alignment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray's inclination state dynamically changes based on detected conditions (discharge tray fullness), automatically transitioning between aligned and non-aligned states as needed, eliminating manual operation time while maintaining alignment capability.
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
Enhances operability by automating the alignment process, reducing user intervention, and ensuring seamless document feeding and reading operations without the need for manual alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a document tray that rotates based on detection of document absence, allowing automatic adjustment between states enabling or disabling feeding operations
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a first stacking unit having a stacking surface, and an abutment portion that abuts a document stacked on the stacking surface, a feeding unit, a reading unit, a second stacking unit, a detection unit, a rotating shaft, a drive unit, and a control unit. The second stacking unit receives the document fed by the feeding unit and read by the reading unit. The detection unit detects presence or absence of the document stacked on the second stacking unit. The drive unit rotates the first stacking unit around the rotating shaft rotatably supporting the first stacking unit. Based on the detection of the absence of the document on the second stacking unit by the detection unit, the control unit controls the drive unit to rotate the first stacking unit in a direction with which the abutment portion is lowered.