Sheet Conveying Device with Vertical Return Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying devices face issues with disruption of documents on the sheet feed tray due to projections from the return path, leading to defective feeding and potential jamming during the conveying process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet conveying device with a design that includes a first tray for placing sheet members before feeding, a second tray for after discharge, an opening portion above the first tray, and a conveying path connecting both trays through a reading position. This device employs a feeding unit, a conveying unit, a driving source with bidirectional rotation, a transfer unit, and detecting units to manage the sheet movement and prevent projections from disrupting the feeding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the return path is extended toward the upper side of the sheet tray to enable bidirectional conveyance for two-sided reading, then the document can be conveyed back through the reading position, but the projected document from the return path may contact and disrupt documents on the sheet feed tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by providing an opening portion above the sheet feed tray, allowing the return path to extend upward and then back down. This three-dimensional path configuration enables documents to return through the reading position without projecting forward over the sheet feed tray, thus avoiding disruption to stacked documents while maintaining two-sided reading capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge roller is reversed to convey the document back through the conveying path for second face reading, then the document can be re-read, but the trailing end of the document may contact and disrupt other documents on the sheet feed tray
Solution Approach 1:
The return path extends vertically upward from the conveying path and then curves back down to reconnect with the conveying path upstream of the reading position. This vertical excursion allows the document to return without its trailing end contacting documents on the sheet feed tray, maintaining both re-reading capability and feeding reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single driving source is used to control multiple conveying rollers for both forward and reverse conveyance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control of rotational direction switching becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transfer units as intermediary mechanisms between the single driving source and multiple conveying rollers. These transfer units include direction-changing elements that redirect the rotational force from the driving source to appropriate rollers in the correct direction, simplifying the overall drive system while maintaining ease of directional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transfer unit with a direction changing member that can be rotated to different angular positions to control the direction of force transmission. This mechanical substitution allows a single driving source to control multiple rollers in different directions through angular positioning rather than requiring multiple motors.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of a sheet conveying device, a sheet member is guided from a sheet feeding port through a reading position to a terminal end positioned above the sheet feeding port on a first path, guided from the terminal end through the reading position to the terminal end again on a second path, and guided from the terminal end through the reading position to a sheet discharging port on a third path. A transfer member rotates a conveying member and halts the rotation of the conveying member respectively according to first and second rotations of a driving source. A first detecting unit is provided downstream of the sheet feeding port on the first path. A control unit switches the driving source from the first rotation to the second rotation on the basis that the first detecting unit detects a trailing end of the sheet member.