Sheet Conveyance Route Switching for Mixed Document Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses cannot switch the conveyance route for each document sheet in a stack based on user-input type information, limiting flexibility in handling multiple types of sheets within a single stack.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a reception processing portion to input conveyance route information and a conveyance control portion that sequentially conveys sheets along either a first straight or a second curved route, allowing each sheet in the stack to be routed accordingly based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conveyance path is used for all sheets in a stack, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to handle different sheet types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is segmented into multiple routes (first conveyance path and second conveyance path) that branch from a common path. A switching mechanism divides the single stack of sheets into different conveyance groups, allowing each group to be routed along different paths based on sheet type, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring completely separate conveyance systems for each sheet type.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism dynamically changes the conveyance route configuration based on the type information of sheets in the stack. The system can flexibly switch between different conveyance paths (straight path vs. curved path) according to the specific requirements of different sheet types, enabling the device to adapt to various handling scenarios without fixed rigid routing.
2Ease of operation
If conveyance route is switched based on sheet type information, then the handling of mixed document types is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism serves multiple functions: it routes different sheet types to different conveyance paths, manages the separation of mixed document stacks, and coordinates with the image reading apparatus to ensure proper handling. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved ease of operation for mixed document handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses type information about the sheets as feedback to control the switching mechanism. The image reading apparatus or control system identifies the sheet type and provides this information back to the switching mechanism, which then automatically adjusts the conveyance route accordingly. This feedback-based control enables automatic adaptation to different sheet types without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated mechanical systems.
3Reliability
If all sheets are conveyed along the same path, then the device structure is simple, but sheets of different types may cause malfunctions or jams
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the conveyance system are designed with different path characteristics (straight vs. curved) to match the specific requirements of different sheet types. Sheets that require gentle handling are routed along curved paths, while sheets that can tolerate straighter paths are conveyed differently. This local customization of path quality prevents malfunctions and jams by matching the conveyance characteristics to the sheet properties without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism determines and sets the appropriate conveyance route before the sheets are conveyed. By预先 (in advance) identifying the sheet type and selecting the suitable path, the system prevents potential malfunctions or jams from occurring during conveyance. This preliminary action allows the system to proactively avoid problems rather than reacting to them, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet conveying device includes a reception processing portion and a conveyance control portion. The reception processing portion receives an input operation to input conveyance route information that indicates which of a first conveyance route, leading to a first discharge portion via a first conveyance path that extends straight from a sheet placement portion, and a second conveyance route, leading to a second discharge portion, which is different from the first discharge portion, via a second conveyance path that includes a curved portion branching off from the first conveyance path, each sheet included in a sheet stack placed on the sheet placement portion is conveyed along. The conveyance control portion sequentially conveys each sheet included in the sheet stack placed on the sheet placement portion along either the first conveyance route or the second conveyance route according to the conveyance route information input through the input operation.