Multi-feed Reset Mechanism for Medium Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium conveying apparatuses do not automatically reset media to the loading tray when multi-feed occurs, requiring user intervention to resolve the issue, which affects user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A medium conveying apparatus with a processor-controlled system that includes a feed roller, a brake roller, and a pressing member, where the processor detects media multi-feed and controls the rollers to reset the media to the tray, with a greater pressing force applied during resetting than during feeding, ensuring efficient media retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressing force of the brake roller is increased to improve medium separation during multi-feed, then the medium can be effectively reset to the tray, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium separation effectivenessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is designed to dynamically adjust the pressing force of the brake roller based on the detected feed state. During normal feeding, a first pressing force is applied, and during multi-feed reset, a second greater pressing force is applied. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing high reliability when needed while maintaining simpler operation during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressing force parameter of the brake roller according to the feed state. The processor detects multi-feed conditions and controls the pressing member to adjust the pressing force from a first level to a second higher level. This parameter change enables effective medium separation during multi-feed without requiring permanently high pressing force that would complicate the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic medium reset function is added to improve user convenience, then user intervention is eliminated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The medium conveying apparatus performs automatic detection and reset of multi-fed media without requiring user intervention. The processor detects when multiple media are conveyed and automatically controls the feed roller and brake roller to reset the media to the tray. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to manually take out and reset media, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback control where the processor detects the feed state and automatically adjusts the roller operations accordingly. When multi-feed is detected, the system receives feedback about the abnormal state and responds by activating the automatic reset function. This feedback mechanism enables automatic operation while keeping the control logic manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If greater pressing force is applied during medium reset, then the reset efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereset efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The high pressing force is applied periodically only when multi-feed conditions are detected, rather than continuously. The processor monitors the feed state and activates the increased pressing force of the brake roller only during the reset operation phase. This periodic application of high force improves reset efficiency while minimizing energy consumption during normal feeding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies excessive pressing force (second pressing force greater than first pressing force) only partially, specifically during the multi-feed reset operation. During normal single-medium feeding, the lesser first pressing force is sufficient. This partial application of excessive force achieves high productivity when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during routine operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Automatically resets media to the tray when multi-feed is detected, enhancing user convenience by eliminating the need for manual intervention and improving the efficiency of the medium conveying process.

Implementation Method 1

a brake roller (113) facing the feed roller (112)... a pressing member (133) to press the brake roller (113) to the feed roller (112) side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11472649B2Medium conveying apparatus for controlling feeding a medium

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 PFU LTD

AI summary

A medium conveying apparatus includes a medium tray, a feed roller to feed a medium placed on the medium tray, a brake roller facing the feed roller, a pressing member to press the brake roller to the feed roller side, a processor to detect media multi-feed, and control the feed roller and the brake roller in such a way that the medium is reset to the medium tray when the media multi-feed of media is detected. The processor controls the pressing member in such a way that a pressing force of the brake roller when resetting the medium to the medium tray is greater than a pressing force of the brake roller when feeding the medium.