Single Motor Document Feeder for Space and Cost Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with separate motors for pick-up, transfer, and supply tray driving increase manufacturing costs and reduce space efficiency due to redundant motor installations.
Innovation Solution
A document feeder system utilizing a single motor to simultaneously operate pick-up, supply tray lifting, and document feeding mechanisms, with a processor controlling the motor and driving devices to optimize document handling and scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate motors are used for pick-up, transfer, and supply tray driving, then reliable document handling is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate motor functions (pick-up roller driving, transfer roller driving, and supply tray lifting) into a single motor system. The single motor drives a pick-up roller through a first gear mechanism, drives transfer rollers through a second gear mechanism, and lifts the supply tray through a third gear mechanism with a worm gear. This merging reduces the number of motors from three to one, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving space efficiency while maintaining reliable document handling through coordinated control of all three functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a driving source for document pick-up, transfer, and supply tray elevation. The motor controller coordinates these three distinct operations, allowing one motor to replace three specialized motors. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the reliability needed for each specific document handling task.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are installed for different driving functions, then independent control of each function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate motor installations into a single motor system with multiple gear-driven output mechanisms. The motor controller provides independent control signals for pick-up operation, transfer operation, and supply tray lifting, enabling versatile function control without requiring three separate motors. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating redundant motor components while maintaining the ability to control each function independently through electronic signaling.
3Ease of operation
If separate motors are used for each driving function, then precise control of each mechanism is achieved, but space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates three motor assemblies into a single compact motor unit with integrated gear mechanisms. The single motor drives the pick-up roller, transfer rollers, and supply tray through shared gear train mechanisms, reducing the total space required for motor installations. The motor controller maintains precise control over each function by providing targeted drive signals to the appropriate gear mechanisms, ensuring ease of operation despite the reduced physical footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes an image sensor, a document feeder, and a processor. The document feeder includes a first driving device, a second driving device, a third driving device, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first driving device includes a pick-up member to move documents from a tray to a document conveying path using a driving force through a first clutch. The second driving device is to move the tray with the documents to a side of the pick-up member using a driving force through a second clutch. The third driving device to move the documents along the document conveying path onto the image sensor using the driving force of the motor The first and second sensors detect the documents on the document conveying path. The processor controls an operation of the first clutch based on the signals of the first and second sensors.