Reading Device Roller Tension for Reduced-Friction Medium Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reading devices experience frictional loads during medium conveyance due to contact with members like reflectors or transparent components, which can hinder efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A reading device design featuring rollers upstream and downstream of the image capturing element, applying tension to the medium from the side of the image capturing element to maintain a constant distance and reduce friction, combined with a reflector and light source configuration to optimize reading accuracy for various media types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If another member such as a reflector or a transparent member comes into contact with the medium, then the medium can be conveyed through the reading device, but friction occurs between the medium and the other member, which becomes a load for conveyance of the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful frictional contact between the medium and members like reflectors or transparent members by positioning the image capturing element to face the medium directly without such intermediate members in the conveyance path, thereby eliminating the frictional load while maintaining conveyance functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light source as an intermediary element positioned opposite to the image capturing element across the medium, enabling optical reading without requiring physical contact members like reflectors that would generate friction during medium conveyance
2Measurement precision
If another member such as a reflector or a transparent member comes into contact with the medium, then the medium can be conveyed through the reading device, but reading accuracy may be affected due to friction and potential medium deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate members like reflectors and transparent members from the medium conveyance path, eliminating friction-induced medium deformation and improving reading accuracy by allowing direct optical access to the medium surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the reading device into distinct functional components: a light source positioned opposite the image capturing element, with both components facing the medium without intermediate members, allowing independent optimization of each component's position and function for improved reading accuracy
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 maintains consistent distance and reduces frictional loads, enhancing reading accuracy and efficiency for diverse media types, including transparent and opaque materials with varying ink colors.
Implementation Method 1
a reading device provided with a reflector at a side opposite to an image capturing element across a medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A reading device includes an image capturing element configured to capture a medium conveyed, a first roller disposed upstream of the image capturing element in a conveyance direction of the medium, and a second roller disposed downstream of the image capturing element in the conveyance direction, in which the image capturing element is disposed away from the medium and opposite to a first surface that is one surface of the medium, and the first roller and the second roller come into contact with the first surface of the medium from a side of the image capturing element to apply the medium with predetermined tension along the conveyance direction of the medium.