Patent Application
20240375895
None.
The present disclosure relates generally to imaging devices, and more particularly to an assembly for varying pick normal force and restraining media in an automatic document feeder of an imaging device.
Scanning is a standard imaging device feature that converts a document into digital form. Typically, scanning is utilized when performing functions that require capturing of images on media sheets. Such functions may include faxing, copying, and storing electronic copies on a computer. Some imaging devices may incorporate a flatbed scanner and/or an automatic document feeder (ADF) to feed multiple documents automatically and sequentially to a scan module. The ADF typically includes an input tray which holds a stack of media to be scanned and a pick mechanism which picks a single sheet of media from the stack of media on the input tray and feeds the picked media into the media path. Each single sheet of picked media passes the scan module where image data of the media is captured and is fed out into an output tray where users can retrieve the scanned documents.
There are many types of media picking mechanisms, most of which rely upon certain assumptions regarding the general characteristics of friction between the mechanical components of the pick mechanism and the media sheet. If the design assumptions are met, then only a single topmost media is separated from the media stack and fed into the scanner. However, if these assumptions are not satisfied, certain pick and feed errors can result. Common pick and feed problems include (1) fail to pick errors where pick tires slip on the media sheet and the media sheet either fails to move or does not move far enough to be fed into the media path, and (2) multi-feeding errors where more than one media sheet is fed because subsequent media sheets stick together.
Pick mechanisms can be designed to minimize the frequency at which the above-mentioned errors occur under nominal operating conditions, but the mechanisms can still be susceptible to these types of errors due to a large range of variables. Variables such as media type, media weight, media texture, media condition (e.g., punched, folded, or deformed), environmental conditions, wear of the mechanism and other unexpected variations can affect the consistency and reliability of the pick mechanism. In addition, customer loading conditions, such as when originals are improperly located in the input tray, may also affect the consistency, timing and reliability of the pick mechanism. Media jams may occur because of picking and feeding errors in the ADF which can cause damage to original copies being scanned. Some common designs work around increasing pick normal force, such as by adjusting clutch torque resistance or adding more weight in the pick mechanism. Other designs utilize complex mechanisms that provide media stops to aid users in properly positioning the media stack in the input tray at the outset of performing a scan operation. While there are many design approaches used to address these problems, it would be cost prohibitive to design a complex mechanism that could handle every combination of such a wide range of variables A more cost-effective and simple design is needed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide features for varying pick normal force exerted by a pick mechanism in an automatic document feeder. In one embodiment, an assembly for varying pick normal force exerted by a pick mechanism on a media stack in an imaging device includes a spring mounted above the pick mechanism having a pick arm mounted at a first end thereof on a shaft and a pick roller mounted at a second end of the pick arm, the pick roller for contacting and applying the normal force on the media stack. A rib projects from the first end of the pick arm towards the spring such that the spring engages the rib to impart a rotational force to the pick arm at a point of contact between the spring and the rib. In one aspect, the point of contact changes along the spring as the angular position of the pick arm changes. In another aspect, the point of contact changes along the rib as the angular position of the pick arm changes. As the point of contact between the spring and the rib changes, an amount of the rotational force imparted by the spring to the pick arm changes thereby changing an amount of the normal force applied by the pick roller to the media stack.
In one embodiment, the spring includes a first segment attached to the imaging device and a second segment extending at an angle from the first segment. The point of contact between the spring and the rib changes along the second segment of the spring as the angular position of the pick arm changes.
In some embodiments, the spring imparts the rotational force to the pick arm that causes more normal force to be applied by the pick roller at a top page of the media stack than at a bottom page of the media stack. In other embodiments, the spring causes the pick roller to apply a decreasing normal force on the media stack as a height of the media stack decreases.
In another embodiment, an assembly for varying a normal force exerted by a pick mechanism on a media stack in an imaging device includes a spring mounted above the pick mechanism having a pick arm mounted at a first end thereof on a shaft and a pick roller mounted at a second end of the pick arm, the pick roller for contacting and applying the normal force on the media stack. A rib projects from the first end of the pick arm towards the spring such that the spring is in contact with the rib to impart a rotational force to the pick arm. The rib on the pick arm changes an amount of deflection of the spring as the angular position of the pick arm changes such that an amount of the rotational force imparted by the spring to the pick arm changes thereby changing an amount of the normal force applied by the pick roller to the media stack.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description explain the principles of the present disclosure.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
In the embodiment illustrated, pick arm 60 includes a drive train 68 for transmitting from shaft 70 both a rotational force and a downward force to pick roller 62. In this example, pick mechanism 50 utilizes a clutch 77 to allow pick arm 60 and pick roller 62 to rotate toward or away from the media sheet on input tray 54 depending on the direction of the rotational force applied to shaft 70. For example, when drive motor 75 rotates in a first direction, pick arm 60 pivots toward the media sheet and pick roller 62 rotates to pick and feed the media sheet. When drive motor 75 rotates in a second or reverse direction, pick arm 60 is raised and pick roller 62 is lifted from engagement with the media sheet disposed on input tray 54. In one example, clutch 77 includes a rated torque limiter that creates dynamic normal force on pick roller 62 for picking media sheets when drive motor 75 is engaged and rotates in the first direction, and allows pick arm 60 to be raised when drive motor 75 rotates in the reverse direction. Reverse rotation of drive motor 75 may be used to reset ADF 30 after a scan job is completed so that another scan job may be performed using ADF 30.
During use, pick roller 62 drives the topmost media sheet into a ramp 80 which directs the leading edge of the picked media sheet into ADF media path 32. Ramp 80 may include a relatively firm, low friction material, such as Mylar, to provide media separation if more than one media sheet is fed into ramp 80. A rubber separation pad 82 may also be used to add friction to a bottom sheet in order to separate media sheets if more than one media sheet move up ramp 80. Additionally, a separator roller 84 may be positioned against feed roller 65 to hold back a bottom sheet and allow feed roller 65 to feed a top sheet if more than one media sheet reach the nip between feed roller 65 and separator roller 84. In other embodiments, any assembly or mechanism to separate multiple media sheets may be utilized.
The angle at which pick arm 60 extends from shaft 70 and the pick height of pick roller 62 at that angle typically provides a corresponding normal force or pressure applied by pick roller 62 on the topmost media sheet of the media stack in input tray 54 due to the weight of pick mechanism 50 and/or rotational force from drive motor 75. The height of the media stack decreases with each media sheet being picked and pick arm 60 rotates through various angular positions as each media sheet is fed and as the media stack height decreases. The normal force, which is applied substantially perpendicular to the flat surface of the topmost media sheet by pick roller 62, thus varies as the angular position of pick arm 60 changes. Further, depending on the ADF architecture, different external forces may act on the media stack in input tray 54 such that more normal force may be needed in some locations of the media stack than others. For instance, a fully stacked input tray may have more drag from a media guide limiter and/or from contact with upper media guide ribs such that more normal force by the pick roller may be needed at the top than at the bottom of the media stack. Conversely, if mechanisms in an ADF assembly result in more drag at the bottom of the media stack, more normal force by the pick roller may be needed at the bottom than at the top of the media stack.
Pick mechanism 50 includes passive mechanical features that allow for pick roller 62 to apply different normal forces for varying media stack heights in input tray 54. In the embodiment illustrated, pick mechanism 50 includes a rib feature 100 projecting from first end 66 of pick arm 60 towards top cover 45 and a spring 120 attached to top cover 45. Rib feature 100 provides an engagement surface for spring 120 to contact as pick arm 60 rotates through various angular positions. Spring 120, in the example shown, comprises a cantilevered leaf spring with one end attached to top cover 45 via a post 121 and a free end that contacts rib feature 100 of pick arm 60. Spring 120 is configured to apply a dynamic biasing force to pick arm 60 that varies depending on the angular position of pick arm 60 in order to create a dynamic normal force applied by pick roller 62 to the topmost media sheet as the height of the media stack changes.
The profiles of spring 120 and rib feature 100 are shaped to allow contact between spring 120 and rib feature 100 at various points along spring 120 and/or rib feature 100 that result in different normal forces applied by pick roller 62 to the top of the media stack. In general, spring 120 and rib feature 100 may be shaped to apply more normal force where it is needed (e.g., media stack location with relatively more media drag) and less to none where it is not needed (e.g., media stack location with relatively less media drag) which depends on the specific ADF architecture as discussed above. For purposes of illustration, the following examples are described with respect to spring 120 and rib feature 100 causing more normal force to be applied by pick roller 62 at the top than at the bottom of the media stack.
The varying normal force application can be in conjunction with a different separation profile of ramp 80, by which the geometry and material can be optimized to achieve better separation. The higher separation force can then be compensated by the spring 120 and rib 100 interaction as the contact point 107 shifts based on the stack height of the media. Therefore, the ramp 80 may not have to be linear or have uniform frictional property.
As the height of media stack MS decreases, pick arm 60 rotates downward and pick roller 62 moves closer to the bottom of media stack MS. In
In the above example, the point of contact between spring 120 and rib feature 100 changes along spring 120 as well as along rib feature 100 to allow pick roller 62 to apply the dynamic normal force on the media stack. Further, spring 120 exerts a varying rotational force on pick arm 60 that urges pick arm 60 to rotate clockwise in a direction towards the lowered position such that pick roller 62 applies more normal force on the media sheet at the top of the media stack and less normal force on the media sheet at the bottom of the media stack. However, as discussed above, spring 120 and rib feature 100 may be shaped to apply a varying rotational force on pick arm 60 that cause more normal force to be applied by pick roller 62 at the bottom than at the top of the media stack as needed depending on the ADF architecture.
In addition to providing dynamic pick normal force, spring 120 may help provide additional normal force for stacks of original documents that are uneven and highly compressible due to corrugated, wrinkled, or bent sheets in the media stack. For example, corrugated and/or wrinkled sheets may cause the top of the stack to end up above the design intent of ADF 30 which can lead to media jams, or reduce the total normal force applied by pick roller 62 to the topmost sheet. In other cases, media may form trailing edge corrugation and cause pick arm 60 to bounce as media sheets are picked and fed. The additional normal force caused by spring 120 can help to further compress the stack of media and overcome corrugated sheets as well as stabilize pick mechanism 50 in order to minimize bounce allowing for more consistent pick timing and efficiency.
After a scan job using ADF 30 is completed, drive motor 75 drives pick arm 60 to rotate counterclockwise, as viewed in
In a further embodiment, in the raised position, pick arm 60 is configured to hold one or more media stops that are used to aid in locating media in input tray 54 to prevent loading of media too far into input tray 54 and/or provide positive user feedback that media is set correctly in a desired loading position in input tray 54. With reference back to
In the embodiment illustrated, each media stop 150 includes a swing arm 154 extending from pivot axis 152 toward input tray 54 and through a corresponding opening 55 in input tray 54 for contacting leading edges of media disposed in input tray 54. From a point above pivot axis 152, each media stop 150 includes an extension arm 156 extending towards pick arm 60. Hook features 180 are defined on both sides of pick arm 60. When pick arm 60 is in the raised position, hook features 180 are positioned to engage corresponding extension arms 156 of media stops 150 to limit rotational movement of extension arms 156 in a direction away from ADF media path 32 to thereby limit rotational movement of swing arm 154 in a direction toward ADF media path 32. In particular, when media is placed in input tray 54 while pick arm 60 is in the raised position (see
Friction and inertia from drive train 68 may aid in keeping pick arm 60 in the raised position, which in turn keeps media stops 150 engaged in the upright position for restraining media. However, the assembly may be prone to shock and vibrations which may cause pick arm 60 to drop and media stops 150 to disengage and be released. For example, opening and closing the flatbed scanner when scanning from the flatbed, tapping media on ADF 30 in order to align pages before placing the media in input tray 54, or bumping imaging device 10 may cause pick mechanism 50 to drop down due to its weight and release media stops 150 unintendedly before media is loaded in input tray 54.
In an example embodiment, spring 120 is configured to hold pick arm 60 in the raised position even if external forces cause ADF 30 to move, such as when ADF 30 experiences mechanical shock or vibration. In this example, the profiles of spring 120 and rib feature 100 are selected such that the holding force of spring 120 is sufficient to hold pick arm 60 in the raised position even without the inertia from drive train 68 of pick arm 60. If, for example, some motion causes pick arm 60 to drop by a small amount (i.e., not all the way down towards input tray 54 or the media stack), the additional holding force imparted by spring 12 to pick arm 60 may reseat pick arm 60 back in the raised position. When an ADF scan job is initiated, drive motor 75 is rotated in the first direction so as to cause pick arm 60 to pivot downward toward input tray 54 overcoming the holding force from spring 120.
Due to the less aggressive contact point between pick arm 60 and media stops 150 because media stops 150 are not biased into contact with hook features 180 (i.e., no loading force exerted by media stops 150 against pick arm 60), pick arm 60 and pick roller 62 can easily drop down to the media stack to pick and feed media sheets. Further, utilizing the same spring 120 that varies the normal force applied by pick roller 62 during media picking to hold pick arm 60 in the raised position and, consequently, media stop 150 in the upright position during media loading (prior to media picking and feeding) provides a cost effective means that addresses different pick and feed issues. The assembly allows for pick mechanism 50 to be easily removed from ADF 30 and/or replaced because spring 120, which is used to both vary the pick normal forces during media picking and hold media stops 150 in the upright position during media loading, is installed separate from (and does not form part of) pick mechanism 50. In addition to providing a contact surface for spring 120 as discussed above, rib feature 100 may also be used to help users orient pick mechanism 50 for proper installation in ADF 30.
In other alternative embodiments, spring 120 and rib feature 100 may have other designs, profiles, shapes, forms, or structures. Regardless of the design, spring 120 and rib feature 100 function to influence the amount of normal force applied by pick roller 62 to the topmost media sheet of the media stack such that the normal force applied by pick roller 62 varies as media stack height changes, and to help hold pick arm 60 in the raised position during media loading.
The foregoing description illustrates various aspects and examples of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.
