Switching Gear Jam Clearance Control for Image Readers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses do not provide an appropriate position for retaining the switching gear after clearing a jam, which occurs when the conveyance unit is jammed, leading to inefficiencies in document handling and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a control device that determines the occurrence of a document jam, controls the motor to free the switching gear from the conveyance gear, and then repositions it to communicate with the carriage gear once the jam is cleared and the document tray is detected as empty, allowing for efficient document discharge and apparatus readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switching gear is moved away from the conveyance position to clear a jam, then the jam can be easily cleared, but the switching gear lacks an appropriate position to be retained after clearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary action by moving the switching gear to a predetermined intermediate position between the conveyance position and carriage position before the user clears the jam. This preliminary positioning ensures that after jam clearance, the switching gear has a defined location to return to, preventing it from being lost or misplaced. The control unit automatically performs this preliminary movement upon detecting a jam condition, preparing the system for subsequent automatic recovery operations.
2Device complexity
If a single motor drives both the conveyance unit and the moving unit, then device complexity is reduced, but the switching gear position control becomes problematic during jam clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the operational state of the conveyance unit and moving unit, and automatically adjusts the switching gear position based on real-time conditions. When a jam is detected, the control unit receives feedback about the abnormal state and automatically moves the switching gear to the intermediate position, then monitors when the jam is cleared and automatically returns the switching gear to the appropriate operational position. This feedback-based automatic control eliminates the need for manual switching gear manipulation while maintaining simple single-motor architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a conveyance unit, a carriage, a motor, a motor gear, a conveyance gear, a carriage gear, a switching gear, and a control device. The conveyance unit is configured to convey a document from a document tray. The switching gear is configured to be placed in either one of a first position where the motor gear is communicated with the conveyance gear and a second position where the motor gear is communicated with the carriage gear. The control device is configured to: control the motor to rotate the motor gear in a first direction to have the switching gear free from the conveyance gear in response to a determination that the document jam has occurred; and control the motor to rotate the motor gear in a second direction to have the switching gear communicate with the conveyance gear.