Scanner Feeder Gate Oscillation for Document Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document scanners require manual alignment of lead edges in document stacks, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially with documents of varying sizes and types, leading to scanning issues like misalignment, jams, and incorrect order.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses forward and backward oscillation of feeder gate stops to align the lead edges of documents within the scanner, eliminating the need for pre-alignment and reducing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual alignment of document stacks is required before loading into scanner, then proper document separation and scanning order can be achieved, but the scanning process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment action automatically after the document stack is loaded into the scanner. The feeder gate stop oscillates to align documents before the scanning process begins, eliminating the need for manual pre-alignment while ensuring proper document separation and scanning order.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner system performs its own document alignment function automatically without requiring external manual intervention. The oscillating feeder gate stop mechanism self-adjusts the document stack alignment, making the system self-sufficient for the alignment task that previously required user intervention.
2Measurement precision
If manual alignment is performed for documents with varying sizes and types, then scanning accuracy improves, but the complexity and difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner automatically handles the alignment of documents with varying sizes and types through the oscillating feeder gate stop mechanism. The system adapts to different document characteristics without requiring the user to understand or perform complex alignment procedures, maintaining high precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the feeder gate stop by introducing oscillation motion. This dynamic parameter change allows the mechanism to accommodate documents of varying sizes and types, achieving precise lead edge alignment automatically regardless of document diversity.
3Device complexity
If feeder gate stops remain stationary during document loading, then device structure remains simple, but document alignment capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder gate stop transitions from a stationary component to a dynamic one that oscillates during document loading. This dynamic motion enables the simple structure to achieve precise document alignment by creating relative movement between the feeder gate stop and document stack, facilitating lead edge alignment without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder gate stop performs periodic oscillation movements during the document loading process. This periodic action repeatedly adjusts the position of the feeder gate stop relative to the document stack, ensuring that documents are progressively aligned against it, thereby achieving manufacturing precision through simple periodic motion rather than complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
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
Ensures proper alignment of document stacks, reducing scanning errors, increasing efficiency, and minimizing document jams, thereby improving scanning quality and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
feeder gate stops configured to repeatedly oscillate forward and backward to align a stack of documents
Implementation Method 2
angled gravity assist input tray
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments are directed at a systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatically aligning the lead edges of a document stack loaded in a scanner system. An automated jogger system includes feeder gate elements (44) which are driven forward and backwards in an oscillating motion. This motion causes the documents in the stack (12) to slide between each other, causing the documents to move and rotate towards the feeder gate elements, aligning the lead edges of the stack prior to being fed into the document scanner.