Scanner Feed Roller Control for Booklet Page Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading apparatuses struggle to efficiently read booklet-like documents without causing paper jams or non-feed states due to the thickness of the documents, as they require manual placement in a holder and can't handle overlapping pages effectively.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a medium feeding portion that can switch between separation and non-separation feeding modes, with adjustable contact loads and roller configurations to handle thicker documents, and a page turning mechanism to automatically turn pages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the automatic document feeder separates overlapped pages to feed them one by one, then individual pages can be read, but booklet-like bodies with thick opened pages cannot be fed and paper jam may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding reliabilityVSAvoidcapability to handle booklet-like documents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driven roller's rotation direction changeable. In separation feeding mode, the driven roller rotates in the normal direction, while in non-separation feeding mode for booklet-like documents, the driven roller rotates in the reverse direction to facilitate smooth feeding without paper jam. This dynamic adjustment of rotation direction based on feeding mode enables the system to handle both individual pages and thick booklet-like documents effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a holder is used to feed booklet-like documents, then the documents can be transported, but manual placement effort is required and the thickness increases causing non-feed state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic feeding capabilityVSAvoidmanual placement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the driven roller to automatically adjust its rotation direction based on the selected feeding mode. When non-separation feeding is selected for booklet-like documents, the driven roller automatically rotates in the reverse direction without requiring manual intervention or a holder. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual placement in a holder while maintaining automatic feeding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the driven roller uses the same contact load for both separation and non-separation feeding, then the structure is simple, but paper jam occurs in separation feeding mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller control structureVSAvoidfeeding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the driven roller's rotation direction changeable. In separation feeding mode, the driven roller rotates in the normal direction, while in non-separation feeding mode for booklet-like documents, the driven roller rotates in the reverse direction to facilitate smooth feeding without paper jam. This dynamic adjustment of rotation direction based on feeding mode enables the system to handle both individual pages and thick booklet-like documents effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the rotation direction of the driven roller based on the selected feeding mode. The controller changes the rotation direction parameter from normal direction in separation feeding mode to reverse direction in non-separation feeding mode. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different document types and feeding requirements, preventing paper jam while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12587604B2Image reading apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A scanner includes a reading unit that reads an image of a paper, a medium feeding portion that is capable of selecting a first feeding mode in which a separation feeding for separately feeding a paper bundle in which a plurality of sheets of paper is overlapped with each other is performed and a second feeding mode in which a non-separation feeding for collectively feeding the paper bundle without separating is performed, and a pair of first transporting rollers and a pair of second transporting rollers that transport the paper fed by the medium feeding portion, in a case in which the medium feeding portion feeds the paper in the second feeding mode, a first driven roller and a second driven roller respectively constituting the pair of first transporting rollers and the pair of second transporting rollers are driven in a rotation direction where the paper is transported.