Rotating Sheet Tray Design for Compact Card Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet feeding apparatuses require a large space for scanning cards due to the need for a sheet tray sized to support larger sheets, even when scanning smaller cards, leading to inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first tray that rotates between open and closed positions, with a second tray that can also be opened, allowing for efficient scanning of both sheets and cards by adjusting the conveyance path angles and tray positions to minimize space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sheet tray is designed to support larger sheets, then the tray can handle both sheets and cards, but the space required for scanning cards becomes unnecessarily large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray capability to support both sheets and cardsVSAvoidspace required for scanning cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet tray is divided into a first tray and a second tray that can be independently opened and closed. The first tray can be opened to accommodate larger sheets, while the second tray can be closed to reduce space when scanning cards, allowing the system to adapt to different media sizes without requiring excessive space for all scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray system incorporates movable and adjustable components including a rotatable first tray and a movable second tray with opening/closing mechanism. This dynamic structure allows the tray to change its configuration based on the media being scanned, transitioning between states to optimize space utilization for different media sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the sheet tray is kept open to accommodate sheets, then sheets can be easily loaded, but the overall size of the image scanner increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of loading sheetsVSAvoidoverall size of image scanner

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is segmented into multiple independent trays with different opening/closing mechanisms. The first tray can be opened for sheet loading while the second tray remains closed, allowing easy sheet loading without requiring the entire tray assembly to be in an open state, thus minimizing the overall size increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of opening the entire tray assembly, only the necessary portion (first tray) is opened for sheet loading. This partial action approach allows easy sheet loading while keeping the rest of the structure compact, avoiding the excessive action of opening everything when only sheets are being scanned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If a fixed tray configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently handle both sheets and cards without increasing size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray structure simplicityVSAvoidability to handle both sheets and cards efficiently

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is divided into a first tray and a second tray with different functional characteristics. The first tray has a rotation mechanism for sheet accommodation, while the second tray has a movable opening/closing mechanism for card scanning. This segmentation allows each tray to be optimized for specific media types while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray system achieves multi-functionality through the coordinated operation of the first and second trays. The first tray handles sheet scanning through rotation, while the second tray handles card scanning through opening/closing. Together they provide universal support for both sheets and cards without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9415954B2Image reader and sheet feeding device

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A sheet feeder includes a first tray and a second tray. The first tray is movable to a first open position and a second open position. The second tray is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the second tray is in the closed position and the first tray is in the first open position, a first tray surface of the first tray forms a first angle with the chute surface. When the second tray is in the open position and the first tray is in the second open position, the first tray surface is located between the chute surface and a second tray surface of the second tray and forms a second angle with the chute surface, the second angle being smaller than the first angle and the first and second angles are obtuse angles.