Duplex Automatic Document Feeder Path Segmentation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing duplex automatic document feeders face inefficiencies due to long document-inverting paths and complex structures that lead to paper jams and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A duplex automatic document feeder design featuring first, second, third, and fourth paths with a pivoting switching gate and a guide unit, including a middle roller and one-way valves, to facilitate efficient document scanning and inversion, reducing paper jams and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a long document-inverting path is used to enable duplex scanning, then the document can be scanned on both sides, but the operating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The document path is segmented into distinct sections: a first path for initial document feeding, a second path for return transport, and a third path for inverted document feeding. The switching gate divides these paths to create separate routing options, allowing the system to optimize the document flow for duplex scanning while minimizing unnecessary travel distance through strategic path selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switching gate is positioned to allow document return via the third path, then duplex scanning is enabled, but the document travel distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching gate is designed to dynamically change position between a first position (for simplex operation) and a second position (for duplex operation). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt the document path length based on the scanning mode required, minimizing travel distance in simplex mode while enabling duplex capability when needed.
3Reliability
If a complex structure with multiple rollers and paths is used to prevent paper jams, then paper jam occurrence is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the document-inverting path that existed in prior art, replacing it with a simplified configuration where the third path serves dual purposes. This removal of unnecessary structural elements reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining paper jam prevention through the optimized switching gate mechanism that controls document flow between the remaining paths.
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
The design enhances operating efficiency by reducing document travel distance, preventing paper jams, and lowering manufacturing costs through a simpler structure compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a roller unit (16) positioned between the first and second paths... The rotational directions of rollers of the roller unit (16) are changed so as to return the document to the first path (101) via the third path (103)
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths for guiding movement of a document. The document is fed through the first path and a scanning module so as to allow for scanning of a first side surface of the document. Thereafter, a switching gate is pivoted to a first position so as to allow the document to be moved from a front section of the second path onto a roller unit via the fourth path and a rear section of the third path. The rotational direction of the middle roller is changed in response to movement of the document onto the roller unit so as to allow the document to be moved onto the first path via the third path, thereby allowing for a subsequent scanning operation on a second side surface of the document. The automatic document feeder further includes a document-inverting path such that documents are automatically arranged according to paper number.