Variable Speed Document Discharge for Stacker Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image reading apparatuses struggle to discharge original documents of varying lengths efficiently, leading to disassembly and poor arraying on the stacker, as the discharging speed is constant regardless of document size, causing issues with longer documents being hung or disassembled during discharge.

Innovation Solution

An image reading apparatus with a measuring unit to determine document length, controlling the transporting and discharging units to adjust speed accordingly, discharging first documents at a faster speed and longer documents at a slower speed to maintain proper alignment on the stacker, and adjusting the stacker length and stopper position for optimal loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the discharging speed is kept constant for all document lengths, then the discharge process is simple and fast, but longer documents become hung or disassembled during discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarging speedVSAvoiddocument arrangement state

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the discharging speed variable rather than constant. The controlling unit adjusts the discharging speed based on the measured document length, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different document sizes. This resolves the contradiction by allowing fast discharge for short documents while using slower speeds for long documents to prevent hanging or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of discharging speed according to the document length parameter. By measuring the document length first and then adjusting the discharging speed parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the discharge process for each document type, preventing arrangement issues while maintaining efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the medium receiving tray length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but documents longer than the tray cannot be properly stacked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium receiving tray lengthVSAvoidaccommodation of different document sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the medium receiving tray length dynamic by allowing it to extend or contract based on the document length. The extending unit can increase the tray length when long documents are detected, enabling proper stacking of documents that would otherwise hang or disassemble, while maintaining a compact structure for shorter documents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the medium receiving tray can be extended or contracted. The extending unit is integrated within the tray structure, allowing the tray to nest in a compact state for short documents and extend when needed for long documents, providing adaptability without sacrificing structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Force

If the stopper is always positioned at the distal end, then it effectively stops short documents, but long documents cannot be properly arranged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopper stopping forceVSAvoidregulation for different document lengths

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the stopper position dynamic by allowing it to move between the distal end position and retracted positions. The controlling unit adjusts the stopper position based on document length measurements, enabling the stopper to effectively stop short documents at the distal end while being retracted for long documents to allow proper arrangement without premature stopping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the stopper as a movable intermediary element that mediates between the discharge force and the document. By positioning the stopper appropriately based on document length, it provides the necessary stopping force for short documents while being retracted for long documents, allowing the document to be properly arranged before any stopping action occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the discharging speed is increased for long documents, then the discharge efficiency is high, but the documents cannot be properly arranged on the stacker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge efficiencyVSAvoiddocument array precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the discharging speed parameter based on the document length parameter. For long documents, the system uses a slower discharging speed to ensure proper arrangement precision, while for short documents, it uses faster speeds to maintain high productivity. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between efficiency and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10911630B2Image reading apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An image reading apparatus includes a discharging unit that discharges an original document read by a reading unit to a stacker, in which a controller of the image reading apparatus discharges a first original document at a first transporting speed caused when the original document specified from an original document length measured by the measuring unit is the first original document and discharges a second original document at a second transporting speed slower than the first transporting speed caused when the original document is the second original document longer than the first original document.