Sheet Image Reader Conveyor Stop Sequence for Stable Patch Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices face issues with reduced reading accuracy and sheet jams when the image reading means moves in the width direction, and instability in sheet posture affects the reading process, particularly when reading patch images formed outside the central portion of the sheet.
Innovation Solution
The image reading device incorporates an image reader that moves in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, utilizing a first and second conveyor to stabilize sheet conveyance, and a hardware processor that controls the conveyors to switch from a cooperative conveyance state to a stopped state, ensuring accurate reading and reducing sheet jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image reading means moves in the sheet width direction to read patch images outside the central portion, then the reading coverage is improved, but the sheet posture stability deteriorates causing reading accuracy to lower
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by stopping the conveyors before the image reading means moves to its reading position. This ensures the sheet is stationary and properly positioned before reading begins, preventing posture instability during the reading process while still allowing the reading means to access various positions on the sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the conveyors based on the reading process requirements. The conveyors are stopped during image reading to maintain sheet stability, and operated during sheet transport. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between needing sheet movement for versatility and sheet stability for reading accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image reading means moves in the sheet width direction to read patch images, then the reading coverage is improved, but the sheet wrinkle occurrence increases affecting abutting stability
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyors are stopped in advance before the image reading means approaches the reading position. This preliminary stopping action prevents sheet movement that could cause wrinkling, ensuring the sheet maintains proper abutting stability against the reference plane during the entire reading process.
3Productivity
If the conveyors operate cooperatively to convey the sheet, then the sheet conveyance efficiency is improved, but the sheet posture stability during reading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between conveyor operation modes: during sheet transport, both conveyors operate cooperatively for efficient conveyance; during image reading, both conveyors are stopped to ensure sheet stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between conveyance efficiency and reading accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyors operate in periodic cycles: moving the sheet to the reading position, stopping for reading, then moving to the next position. This periodic alternation between motion and stationary states allows the system to achieve both efficient conveyance and accurate reading.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device that reads image information of a sheet after image formation includes the following. An image reader is configured to be capable of moving in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction and to read the image information of the sheet. A first conveyor is provided on an upstream side of the image reader in the sheet conveyance direction and conveys the sheet. A second conveyor is provided on a downstream side of the image reader in the sheet conveyance direction and conveys the sheet. A hardware processor, in switching from a convey state in which the first conveyor and the second conveyor cooperate to convey a same sheet to a stopped state in conveyance of the sheet, stops the first conveyor and then stops the second conveyor.