Spring-Bearing Scanner Carrier for Automatic Document Thickness Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanner apparatuses in paper handling systems require manual adjustments for different paper thicknesses, weights, and sizes, leading to inefficiencies and human error, making them unsuitable for small-scale use and varied document types.
Innovation Solution
A scanner support apparatus with a carrier assembly, bogey assembly, and scanner head assembly mounted on spring bearings, allowing vertical movement and rotational adjustments to maintain a parallel scanning face with documents of varying thicknesses, using laterally spaced bearings and guide tapes to ensure consistent scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If scanners are rigidly mounted to the paper handling apparatus, then the structure is simple and stable, but manual adjustment is required for different paper thicknesses, weights, and sizes which is time-consuming and subject to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner head assembly is mounted on spring bearings that allow vertical movement, transforming the rigid mounting into a dynamic system. The spring mechanism automatically adjusts the scanner position based on document thickness, eliminating manual adjustment while maintaining structural stability through controlled flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner positioning system uses spring-loaded bearings and guide tapes to automatically adapt to different document characteristics. The system self-regulates the scanner-head distance and parallelism without human intervention, making the apparatus self-adjusting to various paper thicknesses, weights, and sizes.
2Measurement precision
If the scanner head distance from the document is manually adjusted, then correct focussing can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bearings enable the scanner head to dynamically position itself at the correct distance from the document based on document thickness. This eliminates time-consuming manual focusing adjustments while maintaining precise focussing through elastic deformation of the spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of scanner-head distance automatically through spring compression and extension. The spring mechanism converts document thickness variations into corresponding position adjustments, achieving continuous focussing optimization without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the scanner is adjusted for different document types, then scanning accuracy is maintained, but human error increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner assembly automatically adapts to different document types through spring-loaded vertical adjustment and rotational movement capabilities. The system maintains scanning accuracy across varied document specifications without human intervention, eliminating human error while preserving reliability through mechanical self-regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner mounting apparatus is designed to universally handle different document types through its spring-bearing vertical adjustment and rotational movement mechanisms. This multi-functional capability allows the same apparatus to maintain accurate scanning across various paper thicknesses, weights, and sizes without requiring type-specific adjustments.
4Extent of automation
If spring bearings are used to allow vertical movement, then automatic adjustment is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Spring bearings are integrated into the mounting structure to provide controlled vertical movement of the scanner head. This dynamic element enables automatic position adjustment while maintaining structural coherence through standardized bearing designs that add minimal complexity to the overall assembly.
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
Enables automatic adjustment and reliable scanning across a wide range of document thicknesses and sizes, maintaining parallel orientation and ensuring consistent contact between the scanner and document, enhancing efficiency and reducing human error.
Implementation Method 1
the scanner head assembly and the bogey assembly are both mounted on spring bearings on the carrier assembly such that they can both move in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
a guide tape is positioned so as to deflect a document travelling along the document path to contact the scanning face of the scanning head
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus for supporting a scanner head, the apparatus comprising: a carrier assembly (12); a bogey assembly (11); and a scanner head assembly (10), comprising a mounting for holding a scanner head; wherein the scanner head assembly and the bogey assembly are both mounted on spring bearings on the carrier assembly such that they can both move in a vertical direction, and the scanner head assembly comprises at least two collinear vertical bearings (14) which restrict movement of the scanner head assembly to vertical movement substantially perpendicular to a document path, and the bogey assembly comprises two laterally spaced bearings (13) which allow rotational movement of the bogey assembly about the scanner head mounting.