Document Feeding Unit with Dual Convey Paths for Double-Sided Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses require excessive time to read double-sided images due to the need for additional reverse operations to maintain the correct order of discharged pages, which disrupts the efficient feeding and scanning process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs multiple document feeding trays that selectively feed documents from the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the stack, using pick-up rollers and friction pads to separate sheets, and a reverse unit to reposition documents upstream of the image scan unit, optimizing the document convey paths to reduce the need for lengthy reverse operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If documents are fed from the uppermost surface of the stack through a single document convey path, then the feeding process is simple, but the reading time for double-sided images increases due to required reverse operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single document convey path into two separate convey paths: a first document convey path for feeding documents from the uppermost surface and a second document convey path for feeding documents from the lowermost surface. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of different document sides without requiring reverse operations, thereby reducing reading time while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by adding a second document convey path that operates in parallel to the first convey path. This creates a two-dimensional feeding structure where documents can be processed from both uppermost and lowermost surfaces simultaneously, eliminating the need for time-consuming reverse operations in single-path systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If reverse operations are performed to maintain correct page order during double-sided reading, then page order is preserved, but the reading process time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of documents into two groups: those fed from the uppermost surface and those fed from the lowermost surface. By pre-organizing the feeding sequence through the dual convey paths, the system maintains correct page order from the beginning of the reading process, eliminating the need for subsequent reverse operations that would disrupt the sequence and consume additional time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous forward feeding of documents through two parallel convey paths without interruption for reverse operations. The first convey path continuously feeds documents from the uppermost surface while the second convey path continuously feeds documents from the lowermost surface, maintaining uninterrupted useful action throughout the double-sided reading process.
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 significantly reduces the time required to read double-sided images by maintaining the correct order of pages during discharge, enhancing the overall efficiency of the image reading process.
Implementation Method 1
a pick-up roller to pick up the document from the uppermost side of the document stack on the document feeding tray
Implementation Method 2
a first friction pad opposed to the first separation roller and to provide a frictional force in the separating of the document from the other documents into a single sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading and/or reproducing apparatus, including a single sided document feeding tray and a double sided document feed tray to each supply a stack of documents to the apparatus; a document feeding unit to feed a document from a top of the stack of documents in the single sided document feeding tray, and to feed a document from a bottom of the stack of documents in the double sided document feeding tray; and an image scan unit to scan an image of the document fed from the document feeding unit. The apparatus further includes a reverse unit to position the double-sided document, fed by the document feeding unit, upstream of the image scan unit as the image scan unit completes a scanning of the image on a first side of the document such that the image scan unit may scan the image on a second side of the document. According to the above structure, reducing a time required to scan an image is possible.