Image Reading Device Conveyer Path Routing for Color Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices with bypass paths on the downstream side of scanners and colorimeters face issues with increased size and potential degradation of color measurement accuracy due to abrasion, scratches, or foreign substance adhesion on the colorimeter.
Innovation Solution
The image reading device incorporates a conveyer system with multiple conveyance paths, where the color measurer is placed in either the second or third conveyance path, allowing for selective routing of recording media based on whether color measurement is required, thus minimizing exposure to the colorimeter when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a bypass path is provided on the downstream side of the scanner and colorimeter, then the predetermined inspection time is secured, but the length in the conveyance direction increases and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bypass path that extends in the width direction rather than only in the conveyance direction. This allows the recording medium to travel a longer path for inspection without increasing the device's length in the conveyance direction, effectively resolving the contradiction by utilizing a different spatial dimension.
2Length of stationary object
If a bypass path with colorimeter is provided to reduce device size, then the length in conveyance direction is reduced, but recording medium passage through bypass accelerates abrasion and degrades color measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyance path into multiple independent paths: a main path for normal conveyance and a bypass path for inspection. The bypass path includes additional rollers that are separate from the colorimeter's immediate vicinity, reducing the risk that recording medium passage will cause abrasion or contamination affecting color measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass path acts as an intermediary route that allows recording media to be conveyed without necessarily passing through the colorimeter's critical measurement zone. This intermediate path reduces direct contact and potential contamination between the recording medium and the colorimeter components.
3Loss of time
If recording medium is conveyed through bypass path for inspection, then inspection time is secured, but abrasion of rollers and adhesion of foreign substances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system is segmented into main conveyance rollers and bypass path rollers. The bypass path includes dedicated rollers that handle the additional passage of recording media during inspection, isolating the wear and abrasion effects from the critical measurement path rollers.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image reading device including: a conveyer including a plurality of conveyance paths for conveying a recording medium on which an image is formed; a reader that reads the image; and a color measurer including a colorimeter that measures a color of the image. The conveyer includes a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, and a third conveyance path on a downstream side of the reader in a conveyance direction, and path lengths of the second conveyance path and the third conveyance path are longer than a path length of the first conveyance path, and the color measurer is provided in the second conveyance path or the third conveyance path.