Image Reader Roller Biasing for Speed Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face a conveying speed difference between wide and narrow media due to varying widths, leading to uneven processing, and increasing bias forces to address this issue can deform the housing, requiring additional stiffness which increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a configuration with a first guide and a second guide, along with a conveyor system featuring biased rollers and springs, where the second biasing force is greater than the first to manage the conveying speed difference without deforming the housing, by optimizing the placement and force distribution of rollers and springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bias forces are increased to address conveying speed difference, then conveying speed uniformity is improved, but housing deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different biasing forces to different rollers based on their specific functions and positions. The first biasing force for the first roller is different from the second biasing force for the second roller, allowing each roller to be optimized for its specific conveying requirements without uniformly increasing all forces to the maximum level
2Strength
If housing stiffness is increased to prevent deformation, then structural integrity is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the biasing force parameters applied to the rollers rather than changing the housing stiffness. By carefully selecting and adjusting the biasing force values, the system achieves uniform conveying speed without requiring additional housing reinforcement, thereby avoiding increased production costs
3Productivity
If roller biasing forces are optimized, then conveying speed difference is suppressed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies biasing forces only to specific rollers where needed to correct conveying speed differences, rather than uniformly biasing all rollers. This partial action approach addresses the speed uniformity issue while minimizing the added system complexity
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the conveying speed difference between wide and narrow media while maintaining the structural integrity of the housing, preventing deformation and associated cost increases.
Implementation Method 1
The first driven roller opposes the first drive roller. The first spring biases the first driven roller toward the first drive roller with a first biasing force (F1).
Implementation Method 2
The second driven roller opposes the second drive roller. The second spring biases the second driven roller toward the second drive roller with a second biasing force (F2), where F2>F1.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a first guide, a second guide, a first conveyor, and a reader. The first guide provides a first path between a first opening and a second opening. The second guide provides a second path between a third opening and a junction where the first path intersects the second path. The first conveyor includes first and second drive rollers, first and second driven rollers, first and second springs. The first drive roller is disposed inside a path, which includes at least the second path, between the third opening and the second opening, while the second drive roller is disposed outside the path. The first spring biases the first driven roller toward the first drive roller with a first biasing force (F1). The second spring biases the second driven roller toward the second drive roller with a second biasing force (F2), where F2>F1.