Media Separation Roller Dynamics and Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media dispensers face issues with media overlap during conveyance and surface damage due to inconsistent conveying forces, as the pickup roller applies force to introduce the next medium before the previous one is fully separated, and the feed roller applies a constant force that is unnecessarily large in some regions.
Innovation Solution
A media separating apparatus with a pickup roller and selectively driven feed rollers, including a second feed roller driven by a separate source, allows for varying conveying forces and prevents media overlap by using sensors to control the operation of the rollers based on the position and conveyance of media, ensuring appropriate force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pickup roller is rotated until the medium has completely passed through the feed roller and separating roller, then the medium is fully conveyed, but the pickup roller applies force to introduce the next medium before the previous one is fully separated, causing media overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller's rotation is dynamically controlled based on the position of the medium. The roller rotates at a first rotation speed when the medium is being introduced between the feed roller and separating roller, and at a second rotation speed (faster than the first) when the medium has been introduced. This dynamic speed adjustment ensures proper separation while maintaining conveyance efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the position of the medium and provides feedback signals to control the pickup roller and feed roller operations. The control unit adjusts the rotation speeds of the rollers based on the sensor feedback, ensuring that the pickup roller stops rotating when the medium reaches the feed roller, and the feed roller adjusts its speed based on the medium's position relative to the separating roller.
2Reliability
If the feed roller applies a constant conveying force to ensure the medium is introduced between the feed roller and separating roller, then the medium is reliably conveyed, but an unnecessarily large conveying force is applied when the medium has already been introduced, causing surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller operates at two distinct rotation speeds depending on the medium's position. When the medium is being introduced between the feed roller and separating roller, the feed roller rotates at a first rotation speed that provides sufficient conveying force. Once the medium has been introduced, the feed roller increases its rotation speed to a second speed, which reduces the conveying force applied to the medium surface, thereby preventing damage while maintaining reliable conveyance.
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
The solution prevents media overlap and surface damage by adjusting conveying forces according to the position of the media, ensuring accurate separation and reduced friction, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the media dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
a pickup roller for picking up and conveying media stored in a media box
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of feed rollers for conveying the medium with a friction force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a media separating apparatus and method for an automatic media dispenser. The media separating apparatus of the present invention comprises a pickup roller 24 which is installed on a pickup roller shaft 28 driven by a first driving source 26 to pick up and convey media m stored in a media box 20, a plurality of first feed rollers 42a which is installed on a feed roller shaft 46 driven by the first driving source 26 and brought into close contact with one surface of the medium m to convey the medium m using a friction force generated between the medium and the first feed rollers, a second feed roller 42b which is installed on the feed roller shaft 46 via a bearing and rotated by a second driving source 44 driven separately from the first driving source 26 to convey the medium m, and a plurality of separating rollers 56 which are installed to correspond to outer circumference surfaces of the first and second feed rollers 42a and 42b and to separate out the media m one by one in cooperation with the first and second feed rollers 42a and 42b. According to the present invention so configured, if the picked up medium m is sensed by a media conveyance sensor 34, the operation of the first driving source 26 is stopped such that the pickup roller 24 and the first feed roller 42a do not pick up the next medium m. Therefore, there are advantages in that the media m cannot be conveyed in a state where they are overlapped with one another and that reliability in the media separation can also be enhanced.