BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating generally an imaging apparatus employing a media pickup system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is block and schematic diagram illustrating generally a media pickup system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4A is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4B is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4C is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4D is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4E is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is top view illustrating generally portions of a media supply system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is top view illustrating generally portions of a media supply system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an actuator system according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an actuator system according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a side view of an actuator system of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8B is a side view of an actuator system of FIG. 7B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating generally an imaging apparatus 30 according to the present invention that employs a curved channel to separate a sheet of imaging media (e.g. film) from a stack of imaging media. Imaging apparatus 30 includes a media supply system 32, an exposure system 34, and a processing system 36, with media supply system 32 further including a feeder assembly 38 and a media pickup system 40. Media supply system 32 is adapted to receive a media source 42 comprising a stack of unexposed sheets of photosensitive imaging media or film. In one embodiment, media source 42 comprises a cartridge or magazine which is removable from imaging apparatus 30.
In one embodiment, media pickup system 40 includes a pickup assembly 50 and an actuator system 52. In one embodiment, as will be described in greater detail below, pickup assembly 50 includes a pickup bar having a concave channel 58 with a curved surface, in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the concave channel 58 has a curvilinear surface (e.g. a “splined” profile). Actuator system 52 is configured to move the pickup bar between a first position and a second position. In one embodiment, when in the second position, pickup assembly 50 is positioned relative to the first sheet so that a length of the concave channel 58 is substantially parallel to a leading edge of the first sheet. In one embodiment, when the pickup bar is in the second position, pickup assembly 50 is configured to selectively engage and draw a portion of the first sheet of imaging media from the stack of sheet of media source 42 into and along the curved surface of the concave channel 58 to cause the first sheet to bend and separate from a remaining portion of sheets of the stack.
In one embodiment, after separating the first sheet from the stack of sheets, actuator system 52 is configured to deliver the separated first sheet of unexposed media to feeder assembly 38 by moving the pickup bar 56 of pickup assembly 50 to the first position. Feeder assembly 38, in-turn, delivers the sheet of unexposed media from pickup assembly 50 to a transport path 44 (indicated by the heavy dashed line). Media supply system 32 transports the unexposed film along transport path 44 to exposure system 34 which exposes a desired photographic image on the film based on image data (e.g. digital or analog) to form a latent image of the desired photographic image on the film. In one embodiment, exposure system 34 comprises a laser imager.
Media supply system 32 moves the exposed film along transport path 44 from exposure system 34 to processing system 36 which develops the exposed film. In one embodiment, processing system 36 comprises a thermal processor, such as a drum-type processor, which heats the exposed film to thermally develop the latent image. The developed film is cooled and moved by delivery and transport system 32 along transport path 44 to an output area 46, such as an output tray, for access by a user.
An example of an imaging apparatus similar to that described generally above by imaging apparatus 30 and suitable to be configured for use with media pickup system 40 is described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,971 to Star et al., which is herein incorporated by reference.
By engaging and drawing the first sheet of media into and along the curved surface of the concave channel 58, pickup assembly 50 creates an air path between the first sheet and next sheet of media of the stack (see FIG. 4C below) which breaks a vacuum bond between these sheets and separates the first sheet from a remainder of the stack. By separating the first sheet from the stack prior to delivery to feeder assembly 38, media pickup system 40 is required to lift only the first sheet (not the entire stack) and, thus, can be constructed of lighter weight materials, be more compact, and less expensive than conventional pickup systems.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating generally one embodiment of media pickup system 40 according to the present invention. Media pickup system 40 includes pickup assembly 50 and actuator system 52. Pickup assembly 50 further includes a vacuum system 54, a pickup bar 56, and a plurality of suction cups (see FIG. 3), including suction cup 66. In one embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 2, pickup bar 56 further includes a concave channel 58 having a mounting slot 60 and a curved surface formed by a first curved surface 62a and a second curved surface 62b. In one embodiment, the curved surface of concave channel 58 is curvilinear in nature (see FIG. 6).
In one embodiment, as illustrated by the isometric view of portions of pickup assembly 50 in FIG. 3, the plurality of suction cups, illustrated as suction cups 66, 68, and 70, are mounted partially within mounting channel 60 and in a spaced fashion along concave channel 58. In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 2, the edges of suction cups 66, 68, and 70 extend at least to the edges of first and second curved surfaces 62a and 62b, as illustrated by edge 72 of suction cup 66 and edge 74 of second curved surface 62b, so that imaging media engaged by suction cups 66, 68, and 70 does not come into potentially damage-causing contact with pickup bar 56.
As illustrated by FIG. 2, actuator system 52 includes an actuator 76, which is coupled to pickup bar 56 by a linkage 78. Vacuum system 54 includes a vacuum pump 80 which is coupled to suction cups 66, 68, and 70 via a vacuum line 82. Although illustrated as having three suction cups, it is noted that pickup assembly 50 may include more or fewer than three suction cups depending on a size and/or type of the imaging media. It is also noted that a size of the suction cups may vary depending on characteristics (e.g. dimensions of film, film coatings) of the film. In one embodiment, suction cups 66, 68, and 70 have inside diameters of 1.25 inches.
FIGS. 4A through 4E illustrate an example pickup operation of media pickup system 40 illustrated above by FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 is a side view of media pickup system 40 with pickup assembly 50 in a first or “home” position, as indicated by the dashed line at 84. A drive roller 86 and an idler roller 88 of feeder assembly 38 (see FIG. 1) are illustrated, with idler roller 88 being moveable between an “open” position and a “closed” position. Idler roller 88 is illustrated in the “open” position in FIG. 4A, with the “closed” position being indicated by the dashed lines. When in the “closed” position, idler roller 88 forms a nip with drive roller 86 to receive and provide a sheet of imaging media from pickup assembly 50 to transport path 44 (see FIG. 1). Also illustrated is a stack 92 of sheets of imaging media of media source 42, including a first sheet of imaging media 94.
With reference to FIG. 4B, to pickup first sheet of imaging media 94, actuator 76 moves pickup assembly 50 to second or “contact” position where suction cups 66, 68, and 70 contact first sheet of imaging media 94. As illustrated by FIG. 4C, after contacting first sheet of imaging media 94, vacuum pump 80 delivers a vacuum to suction cups 66, 68, and 70 via vacuum line 82 and creates a vacuum seal between suction cups 66, 68, and 70 and first sheet of imaging media 94. As the air pressure inside the suction cups decreases, suction cups 66, 68, and 70, and a portion of first sheet of imaging media 94, are drawn into concave channel 58 and against first and second curved surfaces 62a and 62b. As first sheet of imaging media 94 is drawn into concave channel 58, first sheet of imaging media 94 bends along and against first and second surfaces 62a, 62b forming an air channel 96 which substantially breaks any bonds between and separates first sheet of imaging media 94 from a remaining portion of stack 92.
It is noted that a level of vacuum pressure required to be provided by vacuum pump 80 to separate first sheet of imaging media 94 from stack 92 may vary depending on the size and type (e.g. coatings) of the imaging media and on the size of suction cups 66, 68, and 70, with larger suction cups generally requiring less vacuum pressure. However, the vacuum pressure must at least be at a level required to deform the suction cups 66, 68, and 70 and bend first sheet of imaging media 94, but less than a level that will cause suction cups 66, 68, and 70 to damage or create physical artifacts in first sheet of imaging media 94. In one embodiment, first sheet of imaging media 94 may be treated as a “beam” with vacuum pump 80 being required to provide at least enough vacuum pressure to deflect (i.e. bend) the beam (i.e. the film) into concave channel 58.
With reference to FIG. 4D, after separating first sheet of imaging media 94 from stack 92, actuator 76 returns pickup assembly 50 to home position 84 where a leading edge 98 of first sheet of imaging media 94 contacts drive roller 86. With reference to FIG. 4E, idler roller 88 is then moved from the “open” position (illustrated by the dashed lines) to the “closed” position to form a nip and secure leading edge 98 of first sheet of imaging media 94 between drive and idler rollers 86 and 88. Vacuum pump 80 then removes the vacuum and releases first sheet of imaging media 94 from suction cups 66, 68, and 70. Drive and idler rollers 86, 88 then deliver first sheet of imaging media 94 to transport path 44 for transport to exposure and processing systems 34 and 36. The process described above by FIGS. 4A through 4E is repeated to remove each subsequent sheet of imaging media from media source 42.
FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating portions of pickup assembly 50 in the contact position with first sheet of imaging media 94, such as illustrated above by FIGS. 4B and 4C. In one embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 5, pickup bar 56 is positioned such that a longitudinal dimension of pickup bar 56 and, thus, concave channel 58, are positioned substantially in parallel with leading edge 98 of first sheet of imaging media 94. In one embodiment, pickup bar 56 is positioned so that a distance d1100 from a center of a suction cup adjacent to a lateral edge 102 of first sheet of imaging media 94, such as suction cup 70, is less than a distance d2104 from the center of the suction cup to leading edge 98.
Maintaining d1100 so as to be less than d2104 enables pickup assembly 50 and vacuum system 54 to more easily and more quickly bend first sheet of imaging media 94 and ensures that air channel 96 (see FIG. 4C) is formed laterally across first sheet of imaging media 94 and substantially parallel to leading edge 98. Forming the bend substantially parallel to leading edge 98 and drive and idler rollers 86 and 88 of feeder assembly 38 reduces the chance for “skewing” of first sheet of imaging media 94 along transport path 44 (see FIG. 1) and reduces the chance of drive and idler rollers 86 and 88 introducing physical artifacts (e.g. creases, wrinkles) relative to forming the bend perpendicular to leading edge 98 (i.e. in a longitudinal dimension of first sheet of imaging media 94).
However, as illustrated by FIG. 6, which is a top view generally illustrating portions of another embodiment, of pickup assembly 50, the longitudinal dimension of concave channel 58 may also be positioned so as to be perpendicular to leading edge 98 of the sheet of imaging media 94. In one embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 6, pickup assembly 50 includes first and second pickup bars 110a and 110b, with first pickup bar 110a including first and second suction cups 112a and 114a, and second pickup bar 110b including first and second suction cups 112b and 114b. As illustrated, first and second pickup bars 110a and 110b are positioned such that their longitudinal dimensions and, thus, their corresponding concave channels in which first suction cups 112a, 112b and section cups 114a, 114b are positioned, are in parallel with adjacent lateral edges 102a, 102b and perpendicular to leading edge 98 of first sheet of imaging media 94.
As illustrated, first and second suction cups 112a and 112b are positioned such that corresponding distances d1 to adjacent lateral edges 102a and 102b, illustrated as 116a and 116b, are less than corresponding distances d2 to leading edge 98, illustrated as 118a and 118b. Maintaining distances d1116a, 116b to be less than corresponding distances d2118a, 118b enables pickup bars 110a and 110b to more easily form corresponding air channels 120a and 120b (illustrated by dashed lines), which are in parallel with adjacent lateral edges 102a, 102b, when a vacuum is applied to first suctions cups 112a, 112b and second suction cups 114a, 114b. Similar to that described above with regard to air channel 96, the formation of longitudinal air channels 120a and 120b breaks bonds (a vacuum bond in particular) between first sheet of imaging media 94 and a remainder of the stack of imaging sheets 92 and enables pickup assembly 50 to more easily remove a sheet of imaging media from a stack than conventional sheet pickup assemblies.
In one embodiment, actuator system 52 is configured to move pickup bar 56 in a substantially linear fashion. FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of actuator system 52, according to embodiments of the present invention, for moving pickup bar 56 up-and-down (with respect to the orientation of FIG. 7A) in a substantially linear fashion relative to imaging media stack 92. Actuator system 52 includes actuator 76 and linkage assembly 78. In one embodiment, actuator 76 includes a drive motor 130 and a gear train assembly 132. Motor 130 is coupled to first drive link 142 via gear train assembly 132. In one embodiment, gear train assembly 132 is configured to substantially match a torque requirement of linkage assembly 78 to the torque of motor 130.
Linkage assembly 78 includes a drive linkage assembly 140 and a pair of idler linkage assemblies, illustrated as idler linkage assemblies 150a and 150b. Drive linkage assembly 140 includes a first drive link 142 and a second drive link 144. First drive link 142 is rotatably coupled via a pivot 146 to a structural element 147 of imaging apparatus 30. Second drive link 144 is rotatably coupled at one end via a pivot 148 to first drive link 142 and is rotatably coupled at the other end via a pivot 149 to pickup bar 56 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B below).
Idler linkage assemblies 150a and 150b respectively include first idler links 152a and 152b, and second idler links 154a and 154b. For illustrative purposes, only idler linkage assembly 150a is described in detail herein. First idler link 152a is rotatably coupled via a pivot 156 to structural element 147 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B below). Second idler link 154a is rotatably coupled at one end via a pivot 158 to first idler link 152a and at the other end via a pivot 159 to pickup bar 56 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B below).
First drive link 142 is configured to rotate about pivot 146 in a plane defined by an x-axis 160 and a perpendicular z-axis 162, and second drive link 144 is configured to rotate about pivot 148 at first end and about pivot 149 at the a second end in substantially the same plane as first drive link 142. First idler link 152a is configured to rotate about pivot 156 in a plane defined by z-axis 162 and a y-axis 164, which is perpendicular to x- and z-axes 160 and 162, and second idler link 154a is configured to rotate about pivot 158 at a first end and about pivot 159 at a second end in substantially the same plane as first idler link 152a.
By respectively coupling pickup bar 56 to the second ends of second drive link 144 and second idler link 154a via pivots 149 and 159, movement of pivots 149 and 159 and pickup bar 56 is restricted to substantially linear movement along z-axis 162. As such, in one embodiment, rotation of a shaft 166 of motor 130 in a counter-clockwise motion causes first drive link 142, via gear train assembly 132, to rotate clockwise about pivot 146, which in-turn causes pickup bar 56, along with suction cups 66, 68, and 70, to move downward and toward imaging media stack 92 (with respect to FIG. 8A). Similarly, in one embodiment, rotation of a shaft 166 of motor 130 in a clockwise motion causes first drive link 142, via gear train assembly 132, to rotate counter-clockwise about pivot 146, which in-turn causes pickup bar 56, along with suction cups 66, 68, and 70, to move upward and away from imaging media stack 92 (with respect to FIG. 8A). It is noted that, in other embodiments, first drive link 142 may be coupled directly to shaft 166 of motor 130 in lieu of pivot 146.
FIG. 7A illustrates first drive link 142 rotated to a position such that pickup bar 56 is in an extended position toward imaging media stack 92, while FIG. 7B is a perspective view of actuator system 52 with first drive link 142 rotated to a position such that pickup bar 56 is in an retracted position away from imaging media stack 92. FIGS. 8A and 8B are respective side view of actuator system 52 illustrated by FIGS. 7A and 7B showing pickup bar 56 in the extended and retracted positions.
By employing linkage assembly 78, which restricts movement of pickup bar 56 in a substantially perpendicular fashion relative to imaging media stack 92, actuator system 52, according to embodiments of the present invention, requires less physical space (particularly in the dimension of z-axis 162) than conventional actuator systems that rotate a sheet pickup assembly along an arc relative to the stack of imaging media. Additionally, by moving pickup bar 56 in a perpendicular fashion relative to imaging media stack, suction cups 66, 68, and 70 are better able to make a seal connection with a top sheet of the stack relative to conventional actuator systems that rotate a sheet pickup assembly along an arc relative to the stack of imaging media.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Parts List
30 Imaging Apparatus
32 Media Supply System
34 Exposure System
36 Processing System
38 Feeder Assembly
40 Media Pickup System
42 Media Source
44 Transport Path
46 Output Area
50 Pickup Assembly
52 Actuator System
54 Vacuum System
56 Pickup Bar
58 Concave Channel
60 Mounting Slot
62 First Curved Surface
64 Second Curved Surface
66 Suction Cup
68 Suction Cup
70 Suction Cup
72 Edge of Suction Cup
74 Edge of Second Curved Surface
76 Actuator
78 Linkage Assembly
80 Vacuum Pump
82 Vacuum Line
84 Home Position
86 Drive Roller
88 Idler Roller
90 Stack of Sheets of Imaging Media
92 First Sheet of Imaging Media
96 Air Channel
98 Sheet of Imaging Media—Leading Edge
100 Distance “d1”
102 Sheet of Imaging Media—Lateral Edge
104 Distance “d2”
110
a First Pickup Bar
110
b Second Pickup Bar
112
a First Suction Cup
112
b First Suction Cup
114
a Second Suction Cup
114
b Second Suction Cup
116
a Distance “d1”
116
b Distance “d1”
118
a Distance “d2”
118
b Distance “d2”
120
a Air Channel
120
b Air Channel
130 Motor
132 Gear Train Assembly
140 Drive Linkage Assembly
142 First Drive Link
144 Second Drive Link
146 Pivot
147 Imaging Apparatus Structure
148 Pivot
149 Pivot
150
a First Idler Linkage Assembly
150
b Second Idler Linkage Assembly
152
a First Idler Link
152
b First Idler Link
154
a Second Idler Link
154
b Second Idler Link
156 Pivot
158 Pivot
159 Pivot
160 x-axis
162 z-axis
164 y-axis
166 Motor Shaft
Patent Application
20080061492
