Wiring Cable Curved Portion Overlap With Drive Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses face issues with noise and drive unit malfunctions due to the curved portion of the wiring cable coming into contact with the drive unit, which also limits their compactness.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus design includes a flexible cable with a curved portion that protrudes towards the opposite side of the drive unit, allowing for overlapping with the drive unit, and a guide part that prevents contact by positioning the cable away from the drive unit, enhancing layout flexibility and reducing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the curved portion of the wiring cable protrudes toward the drive unit to reduce apparatus size, then compactness is improved, but the curved portion contacts the drive unit causing noise and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion of the wiring cable is configured to extend in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the base wall) rather than only in the horizontal movement direction. This dimensional change allows the cable to overlap with the drive unit in plan view while maintaining physical separation in the vertical dimension, preventing contact during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring cable includes a curved portion that bends in the vertical direction to create a three-dimensional arc shape. This curvature allows the cable to route over or under the drive unit without making contact, eliminating noise and malfunction issues while maintaining compact horizontal layout
2Adaptability or versatility
If the curved portion of the wiring cable protrudes toward the drive unit, then layout flexibility is improved, but contact with the drive unit causes harmful factors
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the vertical dimension for the cable's curved portion, the design achieves layout flexibility in the horizontal plane while avoiding harmful contact in the vertical dimension. The cable can overlap with the drive unit in plan view without causing noise or malfunctions
3Ease of operation
If the wiring cable follows the movable body movement, then image reading operation is maintained, but the curved portion may contact the drive unit during reciprocating motion
Solution Approach 1:
The curved portion extends in the vertical direction perpendicular to the movable body's reciprocating motion plane. This allows the cable to follow the movement horizontally while maintaining vertical clearance from the drive unit, preventing contact-induced noise during operation
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes: a base section; a reading unit; a movable body; a drive unit; and a cable. The movable body supports the reading unit and reciprocates between first and second end positions in a first direction. The drive unit is disposed on a first side where the first end position is located. The cable has one end portion fixed to a base wall of the base section and another end portion connected to the reading unit. The cable includes: a first elongated portion extending from the one end portion; a curved portion extending from the first elongated portion toward a second side where the second end position is located and then curving toward the first side; and a second elongated portion connected to the another end portion. The curved portion has a part overlapping with the drive unit in the first direction.