Roller Support Member Warping Control in Image Scanners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium transport apparatuses in image reading systems face issues with reliable separation of moving-side rollers from stationary-side rollers due to warping caused by misaligned external forces, leading to inadequate document transport.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an external force providing portion that applies a third external force to counteract warping generated by first and second external forces, ensuring reliable separation of moving-side rollers from stationary-side rollers, even when the positions of these forces need to shift, thereby maintaining the shape of the roller support member and ensuring proper document transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the positions of the spring and cam are changed according to layout requirements, then the apparatus layout is improved, but the roller support member warps causing the moving-side roller to insufficiently separate from the stationary-side roller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidroller separation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A third external force providing portion is introduced as an intermediary element to counteract the warping effect caused by the misaligned first and second external forces. This mediator applies a corrective force that balances the warping moment, enabling the roller support member to maintain proper shape while accommodating flexible layout positions for the spring and cam.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The external force providing portion is positioned at a specific location on the roller support member where it can most effectively counteract the warping caused by the first and second external forces. By applying the third external force at this specific local position, the design achieves both layout flexibility and reliable roller separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the roller support member is pushed upward by the cam to separate the moving-side roller, then document transport is improved, but warping occurs due to misaligned external forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument transportVSAvoidroller support member shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The third external force provided by the external force providing portion acts in advance to counteract the warping moment generated by the cam's upward push and the spring's urging force. By applying this counteracting force at the appropriate position on the roller support member, the design prevents warping before it can affect roller separation and document transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spring urges the roller support member at a position different from the cam's push position, then layout adaptability is improved, but warping is generated causing insufficient roller separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application position flexibilityVSAvoidroller separation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The external force providing portion serves as a mediator that compensates for the positional mismatch between the spring's urging point and the cam's push point. By applying the third external force at a strategically chosen position, it counteracts the warping moment created by the non-coincident first and second external forces, ensuring precise roller separation despite layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 warping and ensures reliable document transport by balancing the external forces acting on the roller support member, allowing for accurate and efficient handling of documents in image reading systems.

Implementation Method 1

the moving-side roller is urged by a spring in a direction in which the moving-side roller comes into contact with the stationary-side roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a cam that engages the roller support member pushes the roller support member upward against the urge of the spring so as to cause the moving-side roller to separate from the stationary-side roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10222734B2Medium transport apparatus and image reading apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A moving-side roller reliably separates from a stationary-side roller so as to enable appropriate document transport. An image reading apparatus causes a roller support member supporting the moving-side roller to come into contact with the stationary-side roller. A contact state and a separation state can be switched. The image reading apparatus includes an external force providing portion to exert a third external force on the roller support member in a direction for restraining warping that is generated in the roller support member by a first external force that a cam exerts on the roller support member and by a second external force that an urging device exerts on the roller support member.