Sheet Conveyance Device with Hard Sheet Ejection Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet conveyance devices face challenges in efficiently conveying and reading difficult-to-bend hard documents without increasing device height, leading to potential image quality degradation and operational inefficiencies due to the need for separate ejection trays and complex conveyance paths.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveyance device with a dual conveyor system that allows for straight conveyance of hard sheets with high bending rigidity, using a first conveyor for normal documents and a second conveyor for hard sheets, which includes a hard sheet ejection port to facilitate the ejection of hard sheets without vertical separation of the conveyance path and document table, maintaining device height and improving operability and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate ejection tray is provided for hard sheets, then hard sheets can be ejected separately, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ejection function for hard sheets into the existing sheet ejection tray by providing a dedicated ejection port in the sheet mount. Instead of creating a separate ejection tray structure, the system combines the ejection functionality within the existing tray framework, allowing hard sheets to be ejected separately through the hard sheet ejection port while maintaining the original device height.
2Reliability
If a complex conveyance path is used, then hard sheets can be conveyed straight, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a straight conveyance path specifically for hard sheets from the second conveyor to the hard sheet ejection port, while the first conveyor maintains its original conveyance path for normal sheets. This localized straight path configuration ensures reliable conveyance for hard sheets without requiring the entire conveyance system to be redesigned with complex structures.
3Measurement precision
If the conveyance path is straightened, then image reading quality improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyance system into two independent paths: the first conveyor for normal sheets and the second conveyor with a straight conveyance path for hard sheets. This segmentation allows the straight conveyance path to be implemented only where needed for hard sheets, improving image reading quality without requiring the entire conveyance system to be reconfigured with complex structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveyance device includes a sheet mount on which a standard-sized sheet is mountable; a first conveyor to bring in the sheet from the mount, convey the sheet through a reverse conveyance path such that the sheet passes through a specific operation position, and eject the sheet into a sheet ejection area outside the mount; and a second conveyor to bring in a hard sheet with a higher bending rigidity than the sheet from one end of a straight conveyance path along a plane passing through the specific position of the reverse path, and eject the hard sheet conveyed along the straight path from another end of the straight path at a sheet ejection area side. The mount includes a hard sheet ejection port to let through at least a leading edge portion of the hard sheet to be ejected from the second conveyor in a sheet ejection direction.