Document Feeder Light Source Positioning for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often fail to notice documents output into a dark document discharging tray in image forming apparatuses due to inadequate illumination, as existing solutions do not effectively spotlight the documents.
Innovation Solution
A document feeder design with a light source positioned below the document placing tray, illuminating a document discharging tray that features a protruding portion and a depressed portion, creating a reflective surface for better visibility, and a cutout portion on the placing tray to enhance light exposure and user awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is disposed below the document chute and radiates light onto the document stacker, then the document stacker is illuminated, but the document is not illuminated and remains unnoticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (below the chute) to a lateral arrangement (below the placing tray in the width direction). This dimensional change allows the light to illuminate both the document stacker and the document simultaneously, as the light radiates in a direction that covers both areas in the width dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is positioned in a specific region below the placing tray to create localized illumination that targets both the document stacker area and the document area. This local positioning ensures that light is concentrated where needed to illuminate both components effectively.
2Device complexity
If the output tray is disposed in a dark area, then the structure is simplified, but the user fails to notice documents output into the dark output tray
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination function is merged with the existing document feeder structure by integrating the light source into the placing tray assembly. This combination allows the output tray area to be illuminated without adding a separate, complex lighting system, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving visibility.
3Area of stationary object
If the light source is disposed in a region having a width smaller than the width of a document having a maximum size, then the device compactness is improved, but the illumination coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned to illuminate the document stacker and document area dynamically through its placement and orientation. The light radiates in a direction that covers both areas, and the protruding portion of the document stacker helps guide and focus the light onto the document, maximizing illumination coverage within a compact footprint.
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
The design ensures that documents on the discharging tray are visibly highlighted, making them more noticeable to the user by reflecting light and providing a better view, even in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed below the document placing tray and radiating light to the document discharging tray
Implementation Method 2
the document discharging tray having a protruding portion protruding farther upward than a surrounding area
Data Source
AI summary
A document feeder includes a document placing tray on which a document is placed; a document discharging tray on which a document discharged from a document discharging port in a discharging direction is stacked; and a light source that radiates light to the document discharging tray. The document discharging tray is disposed below the document placing tray. The document discharging tray has a protruding portion protruding upward from the surrounding area. The light source is disposed within a region having a width that is the same as a document having a maximum size in the width direction.