Medium Conveying Apparatus with Differential Airflow for Stapled Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium conveying apparatuses face difficulties in feeding bound media with staples at different positions due to uneven air distribution, which can prevent appropriate suction and feeding of such media.
Innovation Solution
A medium conveying apparatus with a feed belt, suction mechanism, and adjustable blowers that detect and adjust airflow rates to ensure proper suction and feeding of bound media by differentiating airflow rates between the ends of the medium, allowing for effective handling of bound media with staples at various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform airflow rate is applied to both end faces of bound media, then the structure is simple, but the feeding reliability deteriorates due to inability to handle staples at different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different airflow rates to different end faces of the bound media. Specifically, one end face receives a first airflow rate while the opposite end face receives a second airflow rate that is different from the first. This local differentiation allows the system to adapt to varying staple positions and achieve reliable feeding without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
2Reliability
If higher airflow rate is applied to float the bound media, then the media can be floated, but the suction efficiency deteriorates due to excessive air interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the airflow rate parameter based on the specific operational requirements. By adjusting the airflow rates to appropriate levels (not excessively high), the system achieves both effective floating of the bound media and maintains good suction efficiency. The controller regulates the airflow rates to optimize the balance between floating and suction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single airflow rate is used for all media types, then the system is simple to operate, but the adaptability deteriorates for bound media with varying staple positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different airflow rates to different end faces of the media. This allows the system to adapt to bound media with staples at various positions without requiring a completely complex control system. The differential airflow approach provides versatility while maintaining reasonable system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of airflow rates through a controller that can adjust the first and second airflow rates based on the media being processed. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different media types and staple positions, improving versatility without requiring mechanical 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
The apparatus effectively suction and feeds bound media by adjusting airflow rates to ensure proper alignment and separation of sheets, overcoming the challenge of uneven staple positions and improving the feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
a suctioner with which a medium of a plurality of media stacked on a document table is auctioned to the feed belt
Implementation Method 2
a first side blower that blows air at a first airflow rate to a first end face of the medium, a second side blower that blows air at a second airflow rate to a second end face opposite to the first end face of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A medium conveying apparatus includes a suctioner that suctions a medium of a plurality of media to a feed belt, a driver that moves the feed belt to feed the medium, a first side blower that blows air at a first airflow rate to a first end face of the medium, a second side blower that blows air at a second airflow rate to a second end face of the medium, and a controller that controls the first side blower to blow air to the first end face at a third airflow rate that is greater than the first airflow rate and the second airflow rate when the medium has not been auctioned to a first portion of the feed belt close to the first end face and has been auctioned to a second portion of the feed belt close to the second end face.