Exchangeable Image Reading Portion for Skew Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sheet-through type image reading apparatuses, the frequent detachment and reattachment of the Contact Image Sensor (CIS) due to static electricity issues lead to high maintenance effort and potential inaccuracies in image reading, especially when the attachment positions of the CIS and reading roller are not aligned correctly, causing image reading accuracy and document transportation issues.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus includes a skew correction roller on the document transportation path upstream of the image reading portion, allowing the image reading portion to be detached and attached through an exposed path, with guiding members and an opening and closing cover to facilitate easy exchange without affecting downstream mechanisms, thus improving maintenance workability and ensuring accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the reading roller is made detachable to improve CIS exchange workability, then the CIS can be easily detached, but the attachment process requires high positioning accuracy and time-consuming adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the document transportation system into two segments: upstream components (before the skew correction roller) that remain fixed, and downstream components (after the skew correction roller) that are detachable along with the CIS. This segmentation allows the CIS to be exchanged without affecting the positioning-critical upstream mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The skew correction roller serves as an intermediary reference point that separates the detachable and non-detachable zones. By positioning the detachment boundary at this roller, the patent ensures that high-precision positioning mechanisms remain stationary while allowing CIS exchange downstream of this reference point.
2Ease of repair
If the CIS and reading roller are made detachable for easy maintenance, then maintenance access is improved, but image reading accuracy and document transportation accuracy deteriorate due to positioning deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image reading portion (CIS and downstream components) from the fixed housing structure, allowing it to be removed as a separate unit. This extraction enables maintenance access while preserving the precision of upstream positioning mechanisms that remain in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a fixed upstream portion (containing high-precision positioning mechanisms) and a detachable downstream portion (containing the CIS). This segmentation ensures that precision mechanisms are not subjected to repeated attachment/detachment cycles that would compromise their accuracy.
3Ease of repair
If mechanisms related to document transportation accuracy are made detachable for easy CIS exchange, then maintenance workability is improved, but document transportation accuracy and image reading accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary downstream components (reading roller and CIS) for detachment, while leaving the critical upstream transportation and positioning mechanisms permanently installed in the housing. This selective extraction maintains document transportation accuracy while enabling CIS exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The document transportation path is segmented into a stable upstream section (with skew correction roller and guiding members) that remains fixed, and a detachable downstream section (with reading roller and CIS). This segmentation preserves the reliability of transportation accuracy mechanisms while facilitating maintenance.
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 simplifies the maintenance of the image reading portion by reducing the need to detach mechanisms related to document transportation and image reading accuracy, enhancing maintenance workability and ensuring accurate positioning, thereby reducing the risk of image reading inaccuracies and document skew or paper jams.
Implementation Method 1
a skew correction roller which is arranged on the document transportation path at a transportation upstream side with respect to a reading position of the image reading portion
Implementation Method 2
A pair of guiding members which guide transportation of a document may be provided between a sheet feeding roller and the skew correction roller on the document transportation path
Data Source
AI summary
A image reading apparatus 4 includes the exchangeable image reading portion 38, the document transportation path 30 curved so as to move around the image reading portion 38, the skew correction rollers 35 in the hosing 3a. The skew correction rollers 35 are arranged on the document transportation path 30 at the transportation upstream side with respect to the reading position 46 of the image reading portion 38. The image reading portion 38 passes through the document transportation path 30 at the transportation upstream side with respect to the skew correction rollers 35 so as to be detached from and attached to the housing 3a.