Image Processing Device Roller Mechanism for Short Sheet Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing devices capable of both-side printing or reading face limitations when handling sheets of paper shorter than a certain length, requiring additional carrying rollers that increase the device's size.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a supply and separation mechanism that includes a sending roller with an arc part and a recess, an independent roller, and a retard roller, allowing for efficient re-carrying and re-supplying of sheet-like media without the need for additional rollers, thereby merging the re-carrying path with the supplying path through a nipping part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the paper supply roller is backed during back-face printing to prevent hampering the paper carrying, then the paper carrying is improved, but sheets of paper with length smaller than or equal to a predetermined length cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The paper supply roller is configured to be movable between a first position for supplying paper and a second position for preventing interference during back-face printing. The control unit dynamically switches the roller position based on the printing side (single-sided or double-sided), enabling the system to adapt to different sheet lengths and printing modes without requiring additional fixed components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an additional carrying roller is employed to carry sheets of paper with length smaller than or equal to a predetermined length, then sheet length compatibility is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paper supply roller serves multiple functions: it supplies paper during normal printing operations and acts as a non-interfering component during back-face printing by being positioned away from the paper path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated carrying rollers for short sheets, maintaining sheet length compatibility while avoiding increased device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable paper supply roller allows the system to dynamically adjust its configuration based on the printing mode. During back-face printing of short sheets, the roller is positioned to allow free passage of sheets without requiring additional fixed carrying rollers, thus maintaining compact device dimensions while supporting various sheet lengths.
3Productivity
If the paper supply roller is fixed in position to supply paper, then the paper supply function is improved, but it hampers the paper carrying during back-face printing
Solution Approach 1:
The paper supply roller is designed to be movable between two positions: a first position where it contacts the paper stack for efficient paper supply during normal printing, and a second position where it is retracted to prevent interference during back-face printing. The control unit automatically switches between these positions based on the detected printing mode, optimizing both paper supply efficiency and paper carrying smoothness.
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
Enables the use of smaller sheets of paper by eliminating the need for extra carrying rollers, reducing the device's size and component count, while maintaining efficient paper handling and image formation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a retard roller which is provided to contact the independent roller and the arc part of the sending roller, and is configured such that, by stopping or rotating in an inverse direction of the supplying direction, the retard roller causes a frictional resistance with respect to the sheet-like medium being sent out by the arc part of the sending roller so as to separate the sheet-like medium one by one
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device, comprising a supplying path; a re-carrying path; and a supply and separation mechanism to carry and separate a sheet-like medium, and wherein the supply and separation mechanism comprises: a sending roller; an independent roller and a retard roller, and the sending roller includes an arc part and a recess formed inside of a trace of an outer circumferential surface of the arc part, the independent roller is able to rotate independently of the sending roller, the retard roller, by stopping or rotating in an inverse direction of a supplying direction, causes a frictional resistance with respect to the sheet-like medium being sent out by the arc part to separate the sheet-like medium one by one, and the image processing device further comprises: a control unit configured to cause the retard roller to rotate in the supplying direction when re-supplying is executed.