Medium Feeding Apparatus Ultrasonic Height Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium feeding apparatuses, such as those in image reading systems, often incorrectly detect feeding abnormalities when the medium rises from the optical sensor, leading to unnecessary stopping of the feeding process, especially when the medium height is low, causing user inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a medium height detection unit that continues feeding when the medium height is below a certain threshold, regardless of movement detection unit information, to prevent false abnormality detection and allowing feeding to continue even without movement detection data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tracking type optical sensor is used to detect document movement, then feeding abnormalities such as skewing and separation abnormalities can be detected, but when the document rises from the sensor the detection reliability deteriorates causing false abnormality detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into two separate units: a movement detection unit using optical sensors to detect document movement, and a document height detection unit using ultrasonic sensors to detect document height. This segmentation allows each unit to operate in its optimal range, preventing false abnormality detection when documents are at low heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator (document height detection unit) that provides contextual information about document height to the control unit. This mediator allows the system to distinguish between genuine feeding abnormalities and situations where the document is simply at a low height, thereby resolving the false detection problem.
2Reliability
If the system stops feeding when movement detection exceeds permissible range, then feeding abnormalities are prevented, but false stopping occurs when document height is low causing user inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic decision-making where the control unit adjusts the feeding control strategy based on real-time document height information. When document height is below the threshold, the system dynamically switches to a mode that prioritizes continuous feeding over strict movement detection, thereby maintaining productivity while still preventing genuine abnormalities when documents are at proper heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the feeding system based on document height. A height threshold parameter is introduced, and when the document height falls below this parameter, the system modifies its abnormality detection behavior to allow continued feeding, thus avoiding false stopping and maintaining operational efficiency.
3Reliability
If movement detection is performed continuously, then feeding abnormalities are detected accurately, but the system complexity increases with multiple detection units and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes movement detection data from the optical sensor, integrates height detection data from the ultrasonic sensor, makes decisions about feeding abnormalities, and controls the feeding operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated control circuits for each detection type, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining reliable abnormality detection.
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 solution effectively prevents the medium feeding apparatus from mistakenly stopping due to incorrect abnormality detection, ensuring continuous operation and user efficiency by prioritizing medium height detection when the medium is low, thus reducing unnecessary interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a medium height detection unit that outputs information related to a height of the medium mounted on the medium mounting section from the mounting face
Implementation Method 2
a tracking type optical sensor is employed in the movement detection section. With the tracking type optical sensor, a light source radiates light onto a document, the reflected light from the document is received by an imaging section
Data Source
AI summary
A medium feeding apparatus includes a medium mounting section forming a mounting face for mounting a medium thereon, a feeding roller configured to feed a lowermost medium among mediums mounted on the medium mounting section in a feeding direction, and a movement detection unit configured to output information related to movement of the medium in a direction along the mounting face, wherein based on detection information detected by a medium height detection unit that outputs information related to a height of the medium mounted on the mounting section from the mounting face in abnormality detection processing, when the height is less than a first threshold value, a control unit continues feeding the medium regardless of detection information detected by the movement detection unit or without obtaining detection information detected by the movement detection unit.