Switching Gear Control for Image Reading Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image reading devices, the time required to switch the switching gear between positions for driving both the feeding unit and carriage with a common motor is lengthy, especially when a power transmission instruction is given without prior prediction of the carriage read mode, leading to increased reading times.
Innovation Solution
An image reading device with a control unit that predicts the carriage read mode and switches the switching gear to the carriage-side position before receiving the reading start instruction, using a planetary gear mechanism to efficiently transmit power between the motor, feeding unit, and carriage, and includes sensors to determine the current gear position without dedicated sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the switching gear is switched between carriage-side position and feeding unit-side position using a common motor, then one motor can drive both feeding device and carrying device, but the reading time becomes long due to required switching time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts whether carriage read mode will be executed before the reading start instruction is input, and switches the switching gear to the carriage-side position in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the switching delay that would otherwise occur after power transmission to the carriage, thereby shortening the reading time while maintaining the one-motor configuration
2Productivity
If the switching gear switches position after receiving power transmission instruction, then the system responds to user input, but the reading time increases due to delayed gear switching
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a prediction process before receiving the reading start instruction to determine whether carriage read mode will be executed. Based on this prediction, the switching gear is positioned in advance, converting what would be a reactive switching operation into a proactive preparation that eliminates delays and improves reading productivity
3Ease of operation
If the switching gear is positioned at feeding unit-side position when carriage read mode is required, then the system is ready for feeding operation, but time is lost switching to carriage-side position before reading can start
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the required read mode before the reading start instruction is input and positions the switching gear accordingly in advance. This ensures the system is already in the correct configuration when reading begins, eliminating position switching time while maintaining ease of operation through automated prediction and positioning
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device includes: a feeding unit; a carriage for holding and moving a reading unit; a motor-side transmission gear for transmitting a power from a motor; a feeding unit-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the feeding unit; a carriage-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the carriage; a switching gear switched between a carriage-side position where the motor-side and the carriage-side transmission gears are coupled and a feeding unit-side position where the motor-side and the feeding unit-side transmission gears are coupled; and a control unit for performing: a prediction process of predicting whether a carriage read mode will be executed before receiving a reading start instruction; and a switching process of switching the switching gear to the carriage-side position in a case where the carriage read mode is predicted to be executed.