Pinch Roller Slider Mechanism for Accurate Thickness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image read devices face inaccuracies in measuring the thickness of originals due to improper displacement of the pinch roller, affecting the decision to route the original through a straight or return path.
Innovation Solution
A medium conveyance device with a drive roller, guide, slider, and pinch roller system where the slider is supported on the guide to allow movement in a direction different from the original's conveyance, with a distance between contact points greater than the pinch shaft diameter, enabling accurate thickness measurement and path switching based on thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pinch roller is used to convey the original, then the original can be pushed against the drive roller, but the thickness measurement becomes inaccurate when the pinch roller is not displaced properly
Solution Approach 1:
A slider is introduced as an intermediary component between the pinch roller and the guide. The slider translates the pinch roller's displacement into measurable movement along a guide rail, allowing accurate thickness measurement even when the pinch roller itself does not displace properly. The slider acts as a mediator that converts difficult-to-measure pinch roller movement into easily measurable linear displacement along the guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling between the pinch roller and measurement system with a guided slider mechanism. Instead of measuring pinch roller displacement directly, the system uses a slider that moves along a guide rail, converting the measurement problem into a simpler linear displacement measurement that can be accurately detected by sensors.
2Area of stationary object
If a straight path is formed for original conveyance, then the setting space can be reduced by arranging the original table near the stacker, but paper jamming and curvature issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic path selection system that can switch between straight path and return path configurations based on original thickness. The guide mechanism is designed to be adjustable, allowing the conveyance path to change dynamically rather than being fixed. This enables the system to optimize between space efficiency and paper handling reliability depending on the specific original being processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the conveyance path parameter based on original thickness measurements. For thin originals, the straight path is used to save space; for thick originals, the return path is selected to prevent jamming and curvature. This parameter-based decision-making allows the system to adapt to different original characteristics and avoid harmful effects accordingly.
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 solution provides accurate thickness measurement and appropriate path selection for originals, reducing curvature and paper jamming issues, enhancing the reliability of the medium conveyance process.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that measures a thickness of the original based on an amount of move of the slider in a second direction that is different from a first direction in which the original is conveyed
Implementation Method 2
the slider is supported on the guide such that the first contact point slides on the first sliding surface and the second contact point slides on the second sliding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A medium conveyance device includes a drive roller that conveys an original in first direction, a guide in which a first surface and a second surface are formed, a slider in which a first point and a second point are formed, a pinch roller that is rotatably supported by a pinch shaft that is fixed to the slider and that pushes the original against the drive roller, and a sensor that measures a thickness of the original based on an amount of move of the slider in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the first point slides on the first surface and the second point slides on the second surface and accordingly the slider is supported on the guide movably in the second direction, and a distance between the first point and the second point is longer than a diameter of the pinch shaft.