Dustproof Member Traps Roller Shavings in Scanner Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading quality is deteriorated by paper dust and shavings of the conveying roller generated in the original conveyance path, which can cause linear image noise due to the inability to effectively collect and manage these foreign substances in existing image reading apparatus configurations.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus is designed with a dustproof member that partitions the space between the conveyance guide and the second image reading portion, trapping foreign substances falling through gaps between the conveyance guide and the conveying roller, thereby preventing them from entering the area between the second scanner unit and the transparent member and blocking light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dual scan method with two scanner units is used to read images on both sides of an original, then productivity is improved, but image reading quality deteriorates due to paper dust and conveying roller shavings accumulating in the conveyance path and blocking light passage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (paper dust and shavings) is extracted from the light passage path by introducing a rotating member that actively removes dust from the transparent member surface, and a dustproof member that prevents dust accumulation in the conveyance path, thereby separating the dust removal function from the image reading function
Solution Approach 2:
A dustproof member is introduced as an intermediary element between the conveyance path and the scanner unit to prevent paper dust and shavings from reaching the light passage path, thereby protecting the image reading process without affecting the dual scan functionality
2Manufacturing precision
If paper dust adhered to the original is removed by a rotating member, then image noise from dust on the original is suppressed, but paper dust and shavings generated in the conveyance path cannot be collected and may accumulate near the scanner unit
Solution Approach 1:
The dustproof member converts the harmful accumulation of paper dust and shavings in the conveyance path into a controlled situation where dust is trapped and prevented from reaching the scanner unit, thereby transforming a potential source of image noise into a contained element that does not affect image reading quality
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 suppresses the occurrence of linear image noise and maintains high image reading quality by preventing foreign substances from interfering with the scanning process.
Implementation Method 1
a dustproof member configured to trap a foreign substance falling through a gap between the conveyance guide and the conveying roller
Implementation Method 2
a scanner unit disposed in an original conveyance path with an intermediary of a transparent member such as glass irradiates an image reading side of the original with light
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes:a conveying roller;a conveyance guide configured to guide an original to a conveyance path, the conveyance guide including a hole in which the conveying roller is disposed;a first image reading portion configured to read an image on a first side of the original;a second image reading portion configured to read an image on a second side of the original, the second image reading portion disposed below the conveyance guide;a transparent member provided on a position apart from the second image reading portion; anda dustproof member configured to trap a foreign substance falling through a gap between the conveyance guide and the conveying roller at the hole,whereinthe dustproof member partitions a space between the conveyance guide and the second image reading portion.