Single Drive Automatic Document Conveying Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic document conveying devices require multiple drive sources and parts, leading to increased space requirements, noise, and production costs, particularly due to separate drive sources for branching and inversion mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An automatic document conveying device with a single drive portion that integrates the switching of conveying paths and the open/close operation of switchback rollers, using a cam and drive transmission mechanism to simplify the configuration and reduce the number of parts and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If separate drive sources are used for branching member and lower inversion roller, then the document conveying function is achieved, but the number of drive sources increases and space is required for setting each drive source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of drive sourcesVSAvoiddocument conveying function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drive sources for the branching member and lower inversion roller into a single integrated drive mechanism. This single drive source simultaneously controls both the branching member positioning and the lower inversion roller operation, thereby reducing the total number of drive sources while maintaining all necessary document conveying functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated drive source is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the branching member for path switching and the lower inversion roller for document inversion. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drive sources while ensuring reliable operation of all conveying mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If inexpensive solenoid is used as drive source, then the cost is reduced, but the noise from the drive source increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid-based mechanical drive system with a motor-driven system that uses belt or gear transmission. This substitution eliminates the noisy clicking and buzzing sounds characteristic of solenoids while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of standard motor components and simple transmission mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a belt or gear as an intermediary between the motor and the driven components (branching member and inversion roller). This intermediary mechanism transmits power smoothly while reducing noise, acting as a buffer that decouples the motor's operation from the mechanical actuation of the conveying components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple drive sources are used, then the document conveying function is achieved, but the number of parts increases leading to increase in production cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument conveying functionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple drive sources into a single integrated drive mechanism that controls both the branching member and lower inversion roller. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining reliable document conveying functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive source is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple components (branching member and inversion roller) through a unified mechanism. This universal design simplifies the parts inventory and assembly process, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring all conveying functions operate reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration reduces the number of drive sources, parts, and assembly steps, lowering production costs and noise, while enabling precise control for single- and double-side document conveyance.

Implementation Method 1

a cam and drive transmission mechanism to simplify the configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8672318B2Automatic document conveying device and image forming apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Provided is an automatic document conveying device, including: a document feeding portion that feeds a document from a document stacking tray; a conveying portion that conveys the document which is fed, to a document reading portion; a discharge portion that discharges the document after being read to a discharge tray; a branching guide that switches a conveying path so that a second surface is read after a first surface of the document is read; and a switchback portion including a switchback roller pair for sending the document to the conveying portion again after the conveying path is switched by the branching guide, in which a switch of the conveying path by the branching guide and open/close of a nip of the switchback roller pair are performed in one drive portion.