Dynamic Output Tray Posture Switching for Document Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in efficiently stacking documents on output trays due to inflexible posture adjustments, leading to suboptimal user experience and reduced efficiency in document handling.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus includes an output tray with a posture switching mechanism and an output-direction switching portion, allowing independent adjustment of the output tray's posture and direction, along with a feed tray that can change its posture in association with the apparatus body's posture, ensuring flexible document handling and improved stacking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the output tray posture is changed to improve document removal ease, then stacking efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The output tray is made dynamically adjustable with multiple posture positions (first posture for removal ease, second posture for stacking efficiency). The controller automatically switches between these postures based on operational phase, transforming a static tray into a dynamic one that adapts to different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The posture angle of the output tray is changed as a key parameter to optimize different functions. By adjusting the tray angle between a first angle (facilitating document removal) and a second angle (improving stacking efficiency), the system responds to the contradiction through parameter modification.
2Ease of operation
If the feed tray posture is fixed to optimize document setting, then adaptability to different apparatus postures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feed tray is made dynamically adjustable with multiple posture positions. The controller automatically switches between a first posture (optimized for document setting) and a second posture (adapted to apparatus body posture), transforming a static tray into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback about the apparatus body posture and automatically adjusts the feed tray posture accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the feed tray maintains optimal configuration regardless of changes in apparatus body orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes an output tray that receives a medium which is output thereon; an output roller pair that outputs the medium onto the output tray; an output-tray posture switching portion that switches a posture of the output tray with respect to the apparatus body; and an output-direction switching portion that switches an output direction of the medium by using the output roller pair. The output roller pair includes an output driving roller, and an output driven roller that nips the medium between the output driven roller and the output driving roller and that follows the rotation of the output driving roller. The output-direction switching portion switches the output direction of the medium by displacing a rotation center of the output driven roller around a rotation center of the output driving roller.