CIS Arrangement for Cable Routing in Image Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image reading apparatuses face difficulties in precisely detecting the leading and trailing ends of thick documents when using contact image sensors with reversed arrangement orders of imaging elements and light guiding units, leading to misalignment and challenges in cable arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two reader units with the same positional relationships of imaging elements, light guiding units, and connectors, ensuring easy cable arrangement by aligning the imaging elements and light guiding units in the same direction, and supports electric cables to facilitate signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the arrangement orders of the array of imaging elements and the light guiding unit in the document conveying direction are reversed between the two CISs, then the connectors can be located on the same side ends, but it becomes difficult to detect the leading end and trailing end of the original document
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the arrangement order of the array of imaging elements and the light guiding unit in the document conveying direction different between the first CIS and the second CIS. Specifically, when viewed from the document conveying direction, the first CIS has the array of imaging elements arranged in a certain order, while the second CIS has them arranged in the reverse order. This asymmetric arrangement allows the connectors to be located on the same side ends, facilitating easier cable arrangement and manufacturing.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same sensors are used for both CISs to suppress manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cable arrangement becomes difficult due to reversed connector positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the arrangement order of imaging elements and light guiding units between the two CISs to achieve symmetric connector positioning on the same side. This allows identical sensors to be used for both CISs, reducing manufacturing costs, while the connectors are conveniently positioned for simplified cable arrangement.
3Device complexity
If the arrangement orders are the same between the two CISs, then cable arrangement becomes easier, but the connectors end up on opposite side ends requiring additional processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the arrangement order of the array of imaging elements and the light guiding unit in one of the CISs relative to the other. Specifically, while the first CIS has elements arranged in a standard order, the second CIS has them in the reverse order, which causes the connectors to be positioned on the same side ends rather than opposite sides, thereby simplifying cable arrangement.
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 allows for precise detection of document ends and simplifies cable arrangement, improving the handling of thick documents and reducing manufacturing costs by using identical sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging elements of one of the CISs receives reflected light which is reflection of light emitted from the upstream side to the downstream side in the document conveying direction
Data Source
AI summary
When the two same CIS are used for a first image sensor and a second image sensor and they are arranged to face opposite sides of an original document with longer sides (i.e., a main scanning direction) thereof being aligned, if an arrangement order of the array of the imaging elements and the light guiding unit in a document conveying direction is the same, the connectors are located at opposite side ends in a front-rear direction. Thus, an electric cable connected to the connector of the second image sensor is arranged above the second image sensor and extends in a longitudinal direction. Additionally, a horizontal portion of the electric cable is supported on an upper surface of a casing accommodating the second image sensor.