Parallel Feeding Roller and Restricting Member Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium-transporting devices in image reading apparatuses require time-consuming switching between forward and reverse rotation of the drive source to position and feed sheets, leading to increased FCOT (first copy output time) due to the need for sequential operations of the abutting member and feeding member.
Innovation Solution
A medium-transporting device with a feeding unit and a restricting member, where a first motor rotates the feeding roller and a second motor independently switches the restricting member's posture, allowing parallel operation of feeding and restricting movements, reducing the time required for these operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive source is used to control both the abutting member and feeding member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the FCOT increases due to sequential operations requiring drive source switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independent drive sources: one for the abutting member and another for the feeding member. This segmentation allows both components to operate simultaneously without requiring drive source switching, thereby reducing FCOT while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutting member is positioned in advance before the feeding operation begins. By preparing the abutting member's position beforehand using an independent drive source, the system eliminates the need to pause feeding operations to reposition the abutting member, thus reducing overall processing time and FCOT.
2Device complexity
If the abutting member and feeding member operate sequentially with drive source switching, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drive system into independent motors for the abutting member and feeding member, the patent enables parallel operation of both components. This simultaneously improves productivity by eliminating sequential operation delays while keeping device complexity manageable through modular, independent control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by allowing the feeding member to operate without interruption while the abutting member is repositioned. The independent drive sources enable both members to perform useful work simultaneously, eliminating idle time and improving overall productivity of the medium transporting device.
3Loss of time
If additional motors are added to enable parallel operation of feeding and restricting members, then the FCOT is reduced, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into independent motors positioned strategically within the apparatus. While this adds components, the modular layout allows for compact arrangement, minimizing the overall apparatus footprint while achieving the benefit of parallel operation and reduced FCOT.
Data Source
AI summary
A medium-transporting device includes: a medium-mounting section on which a medium is mounted; a feeding unit that includes a feeding roller and that is configured to be displaced between a contact posture and a separation posture; a first restricting member that is provided downstream of the feeding roller in the transport direction and that is configured to switch between a restriction posture in which the first restricting member restricts movement of the medium and a retreat posture in which the first restricting member permits the movement of the medium; a first motor configured to generate power for rotating the feeding roller; and a second motor configured to generate power for switching a posture of the first restricting member, in which an operation of rotating the feeding roller and an operation of switching the first restricting member from the restriction posture to the retreat posture are performed in parallel.