Switching Gear Prediction for Image Reading Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image reading devices, the time required to switch between feeding and carriage operations using a single motor is prolonged when the switching gear is positioned at the carriage-side during a reading start instruction, leading to increased reading times.
Innovation Solution
An image reading device configuration that includes a prediction process to determine if the feeding unit read mode will be executed, allowing the switching gear to be pre-switched to the feeding unit-side position before receiving the reading start instruction, utilizing a control unit and a planetary gear mechanism to efficiently switch between carriage and feeding unit operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the switching gear is positioned at the carriage-side position when power is transmitted to the feeding unit, then the motor can drive both the feeding device and carrying device, but the reading time becomes long due to the required switching time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a prediction process to determine whether feeding unit read mode will be executed before the reading start instruction is received. If feeding unit read mode is predicted, the switching gear is pre-switched to the feeding unit-side position in advance, so that when the reading start instruction is received, the switching is already complete and reading can begin immediately without waiting for gear switching.
2Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive both the feeding device and carrying device, then device complexity is reduced, but the switching between operations increases reading time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a prediction process to determine whether feeding unit read mode will be executed before the reading start instruction is received. If feeding unit read mode is predicted, the switching gear is pre-switched to the feeding unit-side position in advance, so that when the reading start instruction is received, the switching is already complete and reading can begin immediately without waiting for gear switching.
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 feeding unit read mode will be executed before receiving a reading start instruction; and a switching process of switching the switching gear to the feeding unit-side position when the feeding unit mead mode is predicted to be executed.