U.S. patent application number 11/519330 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for imaging apparatus with media pickup system employing curved surface for media separation.
Invention is credited to Larry R. Boughten, Jay A. Esch, Terrence H. Joyce, Chris Zwettler.
Application Number | 20080061492 11/519330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027158 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080061492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zwettler; Chris ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
Imaging apparatus with media pickup system employing curved surface
for media separation
Abstract
A media pickup system suitable for use with an imaging apparatus
including a pickup assembly including at least one pickup bar
having a concave channel a curved surface, and an actuator
configured to move the pickup bar between a first position and a
second position, wherein the pickup assembly, when the pickup bar
is in the second position, is configured to selectively engage and
draw a portion of a first sheet of a stack of sheets of imaging
media into the concave channel to bend the first sheet to create
and air channel between and to separate the first sheet from a
remaining portion of the stack of sheets of imaging media.
Inventors: |
Zwettler; Chris;
(Stillwater, MN) ; Boughten; Larry R.; (Hugo,
MN) ; Joyce; Terrence H.; (Lakeville, MN) ;
Esch; Jay A.; (River Falls, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carestream Health Inc,
150 Verona Street
Rochester
NY
14608
US
|
Family ID: |
39027158 |
Appl. No.: |
11/519330 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 27/586 20130101;
B65H 2403/40 20130101; B65H 2701/1928 20130101; B65H 3/0883
20130101; B65H 2301/5121 20130101; B65H 3/46 20130101; B65H
2701/1719 20130101; B65H 3/0816 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/20 |
International
Class: |
B65H 3/30 20060101
B65H003/30 |
Claims
1. A media pickup system suitable for use with an imaging
apparatus, the media pickup system comprising: a pickup assembly
including at least one pickup bar having a concave channel with a
curved surface; and an actuator configured to move the pickup bar
between a first position and a second position, wherein the pickup
assembly, when the pickup bar is in the second position, is
configured to selectively engage and draw a portion of a first
sheet of a stack of sheets of imaging media into the concave
channel to bend the first sheet to create an air channel between
and separate the first sheet from a remaining portion of the stack
of sheets of imaging media.
2. The media pickup system of claim 1, wherein the curved surface
is a curvilinear surface.
3. The media pickup system of claim 1, wherein the pickup assembly
includes a plurality of suction cups coupled to the pickup bar and
positioned in a spaced fashion in and along a length of the concave
channel and configured to contact a portion of a surface of the
first sheet.
4. The media pickup system of claim 3, wherein the pickup assembly
is configured to deliver a vacuum to the suction cups when the
suction cups are in contact with the surface of the first sheet to
form a vacuum seal between the suction cups and the first sheet, to
draw the suction cups and the portion of the first sheet into the
concave channel, and to deform the suction cups against the curved
surface so as to bend and cause the first sheet to separate from a
remaining portion of the stack.
5. The media pickup system of claim 4, wherein the suction cups are
configured to extend beyond edges of the pickup bar to prevent
contact between the first sheet of imaging media and the pickup
bar.
6. The media pickup system of claim 4, wherein the pickup bar is
positioned so that a distance between at least one of the suction
cups and a lateral edge of the first sheet of imaging media is less
than a distance between the suction cups and a leading edge of the
first sheet of imaging media.
7. The media pickup system of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal
dimension of the concave channel is positioned substantially
parallel to a leading edge of the first sheet.
8. The media pickup system of claim 1, wherein the concave channel
is configured to extend substantially across a width of the sheets
of imaging media, wherein the width is defined as a distance
between opposing lateral edges of the sheets of imaging media.
9. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a media source including a
stack of one or more sheets of imaging media; and a pickup assembly
including: a pickup bar moveable between a first position and a
second position and having a concave channel with a curved surface;
a plurality of suction cups positioned in a spaced fashion in and
along the concave channel and configured to contact a first sheet
of imaging media of the stack when the pickup bar is in the second
position; and a vacuum system configured to deliver a vacuum to the
suction cups when the pickup bar is in the second position to cause
the suction cups to engage the first sheet and to draw and deform
the suction cups against the curved surface to bend the first sheet
to create an air channel between and separate the first sheet from
a remaining portion of the stack.
10. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the curved surface is
curvilinear in shape.
11. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein a longitudinal
dimension of the concave channel is positioned substantially
parallel to a leading edge of the first sheet of imaging media when
the pickup bar is in the second position.
12. The imaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pickup bar is
positioned so that a distance between at least one of the suction
cups and a lateral edge of the first sheet of imaging media is less
than a distance between the suction cups and a leading edge of the
first sheet of imaging media.
13. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the suctions cups of
the plurality of suction cups are configured to extend beyond edges
of the pickup bar to prevent contact between the first sheet of
imaging media and the pickup bar.
14. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the level of vacuum
pressure provided by the vacuum system is at a level high enough to
deform the suction cups and to bend the first sheet of imaging
media without damaging the first sheet of imaging media.
15. The imaging apparatus of claim 14, wherein a level of vacuum
pressure provided by the vacuum system is based on characteristics
of the sheets of imaging media.
16. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, further including an actuator
system coupled to and configured to move the pickup bar between the
first position and the second position.
17. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, further including: an
exposure and processing system configured to form a desired image
on a sheet of imaging media; and a feeder assembly configured to
engage and deliver sheets of imaging media to the exposure and
processing system, wherein the actuator system is configured to
move to the pickup bar from the second position to the first
position to provide the separated first sheet of imaging media from
the pickup assembly to the feeder assembly.
18. The imaging apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vacuum system is
configured to release the vacuum after engagement of the first
sheet of imaging media by the feeder assembly.
19. A method of removing a sheet of imaging media from a stack of
sheets of imaging media in an imaging device, the method comprising
the steps of: positioning a pickup bar having a concave channel
proximate to a first sheet of imaging media of the stack; and
drawing a portion of the first sheet of imaging media into the
concave channel to bend the first sheet to create an air channel
between and separate from the first sheet from a remaining portion
of the stack.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein positioning the pickup bar
includes aligning a longitudinal dimension of the concave channel
substantially parallel to a leading edge of the first sheet of
imaging media.
21. An actuator system suitable for use with a media pick-up system
of an imaging apparatus, the actuator system comprising: a drive
linkage assembly including a drive point configured to move in a
first plane defined by a first axis and a perpendicular second
axis; at least one idler linkage assembly including an idler point
configured to move in a second plane defined by the first axis and
a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes; a support
element pivotally coupled to the drive point and pivotally coupled
to the idler point such that together the drive point, idler point,
and support element can move linearly along only the first axis;
and an actuator coupled to and configured to apply a drive force to
the drive linkage assembly to move the drive point along the first
axis to move the support element linearly along the first axis.
22. The actuator system of claim 21, wherein the support element is
coupled to a pickup mechanism of a media pickup system, wherein the
pickup mechanism is configured to engage a major surface of a sheet
of imaging media, and wherein the first axis is substantially
perpendicular to the major surface.
23. The actuator system of claim 21, wherein the drive linkage
assembly includes: a first drive link configured to rotate
substantially in the first plane about first pivot; and a second
drive link having a first end and coupled at a second end to the
first drive link via a second pivot and configured to rotate in the
first plane about the second pivot; wherein the drive point is
proximate to the first end.
24. The actuator system of claim 23, wherein the idler linkage
includes: a first idler link configured to rotate substantially in
the second plane about a third pivot; and a second idler link
having a first end and coupled at a second end to the first idler
link via a fourth pivot and configured to rotate in the second
plane about the fourth pivot, wherein the idler point is proximate
to the first end.
25. The actuator system of claim 24, wherein the first and third
pivots are coupled to a structural element of the imaging
apparatus.
26. The actuator system of claim 24, including first and second
idler linkage assemblies having corresponding idler points coupled
to the support element.
27. The actuator system of claim 24, wherein the actuator is
configured to provide a rotational force to the first drive link to
rotate the first drive link about the first pivot.
28. The actuator system of claim 27, wherein the actuator comprises
a motor having a rotating shaft, wherein the shaft comprises the
first pivot to which the first drive link is coupled.
29. The actuator system of claim 27, wherein the actuator comprises
a motor having a rotating shaft coupled to and configured to rotate
the first drive link about the first pivot via a plurality of
gears.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an imaging
apparatus, and more specifically to an imaging apparatus having a
media supply system employing a channel having a curved surface for
media separation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Light sensitive photothermographic film is used in many
applications ranging from a standard photography apparatus to
graphic arts to medical imaging systems. For example, laser imagers
are widely used in the medical imaging field to produce visual
representations on film of digital image data generated by magnetic
resonance (MR), computer tomography (CT) or other types of
scanners. Laser imagers typically include some type of film supply
system, a film exposure system, a film processing system, and a
transport system that moves film from the supply system along a
transport path through the laser imager. Sheets of unexposed film
are typically stacked within a standardized cartridge or magazine
which is inserted into the laser imager. The supply system
generally includes a mechanism for removing and providing
individual sheets of unexposed film from the cartridge to the
transport system for subsequent transport through the exposure and
processing systems and delivery of a developed image to a
dispensing area for access by a user.
[0003] When removing sheets of film from the cartridge, it is
important that the supply system remove and provide only one sheet
of film at a time from the cartridge to the transport system.
Providing more than one sheet of film to the transport system can
cause film jams along the transport path and result in poorly
and/or improperly developed images requiring re-printing, resulting
in lost productivity and potential damage to the imager.
Unfortunately, due largely to vacuum-like effects between sheets,
but also to a variety of factors such as, for example, static
electricity and film coatings, sheets of photothermographic film
tend to cling or stick together when placed in a stack, making
removal of individual sheets of film from the stack difficult. In
fact, when trying to lift/remove a top sheet of film from a stack,
the attraction between the sheets of film is so strong that
sometimes the entire stack clings to and is lifted with the top
sheet. As a result, conventional film supply systems generally
require a robust construction so as to be able to lift and support
the weight of the entire film stack and complicated mechanisms to
separate sheets.
[0004] One such film supply system includes a rotatable pickup head
that employs suction cups to engage the top sheet of film of the
stack. After the suction cups create a vacuum seal with the top
sheet of film, the pickup head is rotated up and down between one
or more positions to flex the film so as to separate the top sheet
of film from the other sheets of the stack. An example of such a
system is described by U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0169325 A1
to Nelson, filed on Feb. 28, 2003, which is assigned to the same
assignee as the present invention, and is herein incorporated by
reference. While this system is generally effective at removing the
bulk of the lower sheets of the stack from the upper sheets of the
stack, it is not always effective at separating the upper sheets of
film from another, such as the one or more sheets immediately below
the top sheet in the stack.
[0005] In light of the above, there is a need for an improved
system for separating individual sheets of film from a stack of
film of a film source of an imaging apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a media
pickup system suitable for use with an imaging apparatus. The media
pickup system includes a pickup assembly including at least one
pickup bar having a concave channel with a curved surface and an
actuator. The actuator is configured to move the pickup bar between
a first position and a second position, wherein the pickup
assembly, when the pickup bar is in the second position, is
configured to selectively engage and draw a portion of a first
sheet of a stack of sheets of imaging media into the concave
channel to bend the first sheet to create an air channel between
and separate the first sheet from a remaining portion of the stack
of sheets of imaging media.
[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an imaging
apparatus including a media source including a stack of one or more
sheets of imaging media and a pickup assembly. The pickup assembly
includes a pickup bar moveable between a first position and a
second position and having a concave channel with a curved surface,
and a plurality of suction cups positioned in a spaced fashion in
the concave channel and configured to contact a first sheet of
imaging media of the stack when the pickup bar is in the second
position. A vacuum system is configured to deliver a vacuum to the
suction cups when the pickup bar is in the second position to cause
the suction cups to engage the first sheet and to draw and deform
the suction cups against the curved surface to bend the first sheet
of imaging media to create an air channel between and separate the
first sheet from a remaining portion of the stack.
[0008] By engaging and drawing the first sheet of media into the
concave channel, the pickup assembly creates an air path between
the first sheet and next sheet of media of the stack and breaks a
vacuum bond between and separates the first sheet from a remainder
of the stack. By separating the first sheet from the stack in this
fashion, the media pickup system lifts 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
media pickup systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating generally an imaging
apparatus employing a media pickup system in accordance with the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is block and schematic diagram illustrating generally
a media pickup system according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the media pickup
system of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4A is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an
example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an
example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4C is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an
example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4D is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an
example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 4E is a block and schematic diagram illustrating an
example operation of the media pickup system of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is top view illustrating generally portions of a
media supply system according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is top view illustrating generally portions of a
media supply system according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an actuator system
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an actuator system
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8A is a side view of an actuator system of FIG. 7A.
[0022] FIG. 8B is a side view of an actuator system of FIG. 7B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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).
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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 d1 100
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 d2 104 from the center of the suction cup to
leading edge 98.
[0037] Maintaining d1 100 so as to be less than d2 104 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).
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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 d1 116a, 116b to be less than
corresponding distances d2 118a, 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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).
[0042] 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).
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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
[0048] 30 Imaging Apparatus [0049] 32 Media Supply System [0050] 34
Exposure System [0051] 36 Processing System [0052] 38 Feeder
Assembly [0053] 40 Media Pickup System [0054] 42 Media Source
[0055] 44 Transport Path [0056] 46 Output Area [0057] 50 Pickup
Assembly [0058] 52 Actuator System [0059] 54 Vacuum System [0060]
56 Pickup Bar [0061] 58 Concave Channel [0062] 60 Mounting Slot
[0063] 62 First Curved Surface [0064] 64 Second Curved Surface
[0065] 66 Suction Cup [0066] 68 Suction Cup [0067] 70 Suction Cup
[0068] 72 Edge of Suction Cup [0069] 74 Edge of Second Curved
Surface [0070] 76 Actuator [0071] 78 Linkage Assembly [0072] 80
Vacuum Pump [0073] 82 Vacuum Line [0074] 84 Home Position [0075] 86
Drive Roller [0076] 88 Idler Roller [0077] 90 Stack of Sheets of
Imaging Media [0078] 92 First Sheet of Imaging Media [0079] 96 Air
Channel [0080] 98 Sheet of Imaging Media--Leading Edge [0081] 100
Distance "d1" [0082] 102 Sheet of Imaging Media--Lateral Edge
[0083] 104 Distance "d2" [0084] 110a First Pickup Bar [0085] 110b
Second Pickup Bar [0086] 112a First Suction Cup [0087] 112b First
Suction Cup [0088] 114a Second Suction Cup [0089] 114b Second
Suction Cup [0090] 116a Distance "d1" [0091] 116b Distance "d1"
[0092] 118a Distance "d2" [0093] 118b Distance "d2" [0094] 120a Air
Channel [0095] 120b Air Channel [0096] 130 Motor [0097] 132 Gear
Train Assembly [0098] 140 Drive Linkage Assembly [0099] 142 First
Drive Link [0100] 144 Second Drive Link [0101] 146 Pivot [0102] 147
Imaging Apparatus Structure [0103] 148 Pivot [0104] 149 Pivot
[0105] 150a First Idler Linkage Assembly [0106] 150b Second Idler
Linkage Assembly [0107] 152a First Idler Link [0108] 152b First
Idler Link [0109] 154a Second Idler Link [0110] 154b Second Idler
Link [0111] 156 Pivot [0112] 158 Pivot [0113] 159 Pivot [0114] 160
x-axis [0115] 162 z-axis [0116] 164 y-axis [0117] 166 Motor
Shaft
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