Transparent Sheet Bonding Layout to Prevent Image Reading Fringes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading apparatuses face issues with interference fringes caused by reflected light from the transparent sheet and glass plate surfaces, which can adversely affect the quality of readout images, and using surface-treated transparent sheets increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a transparent sheet bonded to the transparent plate member and guide members using adhesive layers to create a gap, preventing interference fringes without requiring special surface-treated sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a transparent sheet is disposed on the glass plate surface to cover steps and guide document sheets, then document sheet guidance is improved, but interference fringes are caused by reflected light from the transparent sheet and glass plate surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument sheet guidanceVSAvoidinterference fringes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the transparent sheet and the glass plate. This adhesive layer creates a gap that prevents direct optical contact between the two surfaces, thereby eliminating the interference fringes caused by reflected light while still maintaining the mechanical bonding and guidance functions of the transparent sheet configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If surface treatment is applied to the transparent sheet to reduce surface reflection, then interference fringes are restrained, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference fringesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying costly surface treatments to the transparent sheet, the invention uses an adhesive layer as a mediator to create a physical gap between the transparent sheet and glass plate. This approach eliminates interference fringes through structural design rather than material treatment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the same optical effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of the transparent sheet configuration by introducing a gap (altering the distance parameter between the transparent sheet and glass plate). This parameter change eliminates the optical interference condition without requiring surface treatment, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains image reading quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces interference fringes while maintaining image quality without the need for costly surface-treated transparent sheets, ensuring reliable image reading performance.

Implementation Method 1

reflected light by the surface of the glass plate and reflected light by the surface of the transparent sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

reflected light by the surface of the glass plate and reflected light by the surface of the transparent sheet from causing interference fringes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP4672730A1Image reading apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4672730A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4672730A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4672730A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A downstream-side guide member (22) is disposed along a region located further downstream with respect to a downstream adjacent region adjacent to a reading region on a first surface of a transparent plate member (16) on the downstream side. An upstream-side adhesive layer (25a) is formed in an upstream adjacent region adjacent to the reading region on an upstream side. Downstream-side adhesive layers (25b, 25c) are formed in the downstream adjacent region and on a surface of the downstream-side guide member (22). A transparent sheet (24) is bonded to the first surface of the transparent plate member (16) and the surface of the downstream-side guide member (22) by the upstream-side adhesive layer (25a) and the downstream-side adhesive layers (25b, 25c). The upstream-side adhesive layer (25a) and the downstream-side adhesive layers (25b, 25c) form a gap between the reading region on the transparent plate member (16) and the transparent sheet (24).