Cover Mechanism for Bundled Wire Protection in Image Reading Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in efficiently routing and protecting bundled wires, such as flat cables, within the reading unit when attached to various main units with different cable connecting positions, requiring additional space and potential damage during the vertical movement of the automatic document feeder (ADF).
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cover portion with a first and second cover member that overlap vertically, allowing the bundled wire to extend longer when the ADF is in the upper position to accommodate different connecting positions and prevent damage, while maintaining a compact configuration when the ADF is in the lower position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holder member is designed to cover the flat cable when the ADF is at the lower position, then the cable is protected from damage, but the space for routing the flat cable within the reading unit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holder member is designed to move vertically between two positions: at the lower position, it covers the flat cable to protect it from damage; at the upper position, it moves away to provide space for cable routing. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the protection mechanism adaptable to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder member is segmented into functional zones: a cable covering portion for protection and a routing space portion for cable management. This segmentation allows the structure to perform both protection and routing functions in different configurations, resolving the space contradiction.
2Reliability
If the cover portion is designed to protect the bundled wire during ADF movement, then wire damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is merged with the holder member structure, combining the cable protection function and the routing space function into a single integrated component. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate protection mechanisms while maintaining wire protection during ADF movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder member is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both a cable protector when at the lower position and a routing space provider when at the upper position. This universal design reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flat cable connecting positions are different for multiple main units, then adaptability is improved, but the space required for routing flat cables within the reading unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder member moves dynamically between lower and upper positions to accommodate different cable routing requirements. When the ADF is at the lower position, the holder covers the cable; when at the upper position, it provides routing space. This dynamic behavior enables adaptability to multiple main units with different connecting positions without requiring additional permanent space.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a conveyance unit configured to convey the sheet, a support portion configured to support the conveyance unit openably and movably with respect to the reading unit in a vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position, a bundled wire transmitting a signal or electric power to the conveyance unit, and a cover portion configured to cover the bundled wire. The cover portion includes a first cover member provided on the conveyance unit and a second cover member provided movably in the vertical direction with respect to the reading unit. A whole length of the cover portion in the vertical direction in a case where the conveyance unit is located at the upper position is longer than a whole length of the cover portion in a case where the conveyance unit is located at the lower position.