Movable Ejection Table Control for Unobstructed Media Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media conveying apparatuses face user inconvenience due to the ejection table obstructing the placement of media on the media table, making it difficult to place media efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a movable ejection table and media table that adjust their positions based on the amount of media stacked, with the ejection table being lowered during conveyance and raised upon completion, allowing for unobstructed media placement and efficient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejection table is disposed above the media table to enable stacking, then media stacking efficiency is improved, but user convenience for placing media is worsened due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection table is designed to be movable between a raised position (above the media table for stacking) and a lowered position (clear of the media table for placement). This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between stacking mode and placement mode, resolving the contradiction between stacking efficiency and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection table utilizes the vertical dimension by moving up and down relative to the media table. When raised, it enables stacking in the vertical space above the media table. When lowered, it clears the horizontal placement area. This dimensional movement allows both functions to coexist without permanent obstruction.
2Ease of operation
If the ejection table is raised to clear space for media placement, then user convenience is improved, but media stacking capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection table dynamically adjusts its vertical position based on operational needs. It is lowered during media placement operations to provide clear access, and raised during stacking operations to enable efficient stacking. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize for either convenience or productivity depending on the current task.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection table is lowered in advance before media placement operations begin, ensuring that the placement area is clear and accessible. This preliminary action prevents obstruction and improves user convenience before the actual placement task commences.
3Device complexity
If the ejection table remains in a fixed position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operational phases is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection table incorporates a simple vertical movement mechanism that allows it to switch between two primary positions: raised for stacking and lowered for placement. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different operational phases while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable ejection table serves multiple functions: it acts as a stacking surface when raised and clears the placement area when lowered. This multi-functionality allows a single component to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated structures for each phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A media conveying apparatus includes a media table on which media are to be placed, a conveyor, an ejector, an ejection table, and circuitry. The conveyor conveys the media placed on the media table. The ejector ejects the media conveyed by the conveyor. The ejection table is movable and disposed above the media table to stack the media ejected by the ejector. The circuitry controls the ejection table to be lowered based on an amount of media stacked on the ejection table while the media on the media table are sequentially conveyed. The circuitry controls the ejection table to be raised in response to completion of conveyance of all the media on the media table.