Image Scanner Transmission Element for Bidirectional Document Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses with shared driving sources for automatic document feeders and reading units face limitations in document conveyance direction, restricting reverse conveyance and skew correction, leading to reduced functionality and increased costs due to the need for multiple mechatronic parts.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a shared driving source that uses a biasing mechanism with an elastic member and a disengaging mechanism to switch between transmission of the drive force to the moving and feeding mechanisms, allowing for bidirectional document conveyance without relying on the motor's driving force, enabling reverse conveyance and skew correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single driving source is shared between the moving mechanism and feeding mechanism, then the apparatus cost is reduced, but the document conveyance direction is restricted to one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the transmission element movable rather than fixed. The transmission element can dynamically switch its engagement state between the driving source and the two mechanisms, allowing the system to adapt between different operational modes (conveyance mode and reading unit movement mode) while using a single driving source. This dynamic switching enables bidirectional conveyance capability without requiring multiple motors.
2Device complexity
If the transmission destination of driving force is switched by the drive force of the motor itself, then the system is simplified, but reverse conveyance cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission element as an intermediary component between the driving source and the two mechanisms. This transmission element acts as a mediator that can selectively engage with either the feeding mechanism or the moving mechanism, allowing the driving source to control both mechanisms without directly switching its own transmission destination. This intermediary enables reverse conveyance by allowing the feeding mechanism to be driven in reverse while the reading unit remains stationary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechatronic parts such as electromagnetic clutch are added to switch transmission destination, then the conveyance direction can be switched, but the apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the transmission element to automatically engage and disengage based on the operational requirements. The transmission element is configured to be displaced by the movement of the reading unit itself, causing it to automatically switch between transmitting drive force to the moving mechanism or to the feeding mechanism. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for expensive electromagnetic clutches or other complex mechatronic switching devices.
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 allows for flexible document conveyance directions, enabling reverse conveyance and skew correction without additional mechatronic parts, reducing the apparatus's complexity and cost while maintaining performance, and allowing for two-sided reading functions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism that includes an elastic member and is configured to move the reading unit to the predetermined position by a biasing force of the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus comprises a feeding mechanism conveying a document, a moving mechanism moving a reading unit, a driving source shared by the mechanisms, a biasing mechanism moving the reading unit to a predetermined position by an elastic member when the reading unit is moved out of a reading region, a transmission element being displaced by the movement of the reading unit and switching transmission of the drive force, and a disengaging mechanism disengaging the reading unit in the predetermined position to the reading region from the predetermined position by the drive force of the driving source.