Document Cover Panel with Regulating Surface for ADF Obstruction

Solution Overview

Problem

In image reading apparatuses with automatic document feeders, the discharge of documents onto a panel can obstruct the display and operating portions, leading to reduced visibility and operability, causing inconvenience to users.

Innovation Solution

The panel includes a regulating surface that protrudes from the document cover to manage the position of the document discharge, preventing it from covering the display or operating elements and enhancing visibility and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ADF is disposed above the document cover with the panel provided on the upper surface, then the document can be discharged to the upper surface of the document cover, but the document may obstruct the panel, resulting in a deterioration of visibility and operability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic document feeding capabilityVSAvoidpanel visibility and operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into two functional surfaces: an arrangement surface for displaying information and operating portions, and a regulating surface that protrudes to control document position. This segmentation allows the panel to simultaneously serve as both an interface and a document positioning mechanism, preventing obstruction while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is designed with a three-dimensional structure featuring a protruding regulating surface that extends in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change creates a physical barrier that guides documents away from the arrangement surface, solving the obstruction problem without compromising the panel's operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the panel is provided on the upper surface of the document cover, then the space required for installing the image reading apparatus is reduced, but the document discharged by the ADF may obstruct the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidpanel visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into two functional surfaces: an arrangement surface for displaying information and operating portions, and a regulating surface that protrudes to control document position. This segmentation allows the panel to simultaneously serve as both an interface and a document positioning mechanism, preventing obstruction while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is designed with a three-dimensional structure featuring a protruding regulating surface that extends in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change creates a physical barrier that guides documents away from the arrangement surface, solving the obstruction problem without compromising the panel's operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7817314B2Image reading apparatus and multifunction apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image reading apparatus includes a document mounting table, a document cover disposed above the document mounting table and provided to be displaceable between a position in which the mounted document is covered and a position in which the document mounting table is opened, an automatic document feeder delivering and discharging the document to an upper surface of the document cover, a reading unit that reads an image on a surface of the mounted document or an image on a surface of the document delivered by the automatic document feeder; and a panel disposed on the document cover. The panel includes an installation surface provided with a display portion or an operating portion. The panel also includes a regulating surface which is protruded from the upper surface and which regulates a position of an end of the document discharged through the automatic document feeder.