Flexible Flat Cable Routing Guide for Image Scanner Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible flat cables in image reading and forming apparatuses are prone to breaks and noise due to excessive twisting or bending, leading to irregularities in image data during the reading and forming processes.

Innovation Solution

The flexible flat cables are routed to minimize twists and bends by using a guide unit that maintains a predetermined curvature and separates the cables to prevent contact and noise interference, with ferrite cores to attenuate signal noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible flat cables are routed in conventional paths, then device assembly is simple, but cables experience excessive twisting or bending causing breaks and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable reliabilityVSAvoidcable routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cable guiding structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable source and destination. This structure includes guiding surfaces and routing channels that mediate the cable's path, preventing excessive twisting and bending while maintaining a relatively simple overall device assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable routing path is designed with optimized curvature radius and guiding surfaces that match the cable's bending characteristics. By accounting for the cable's spherical/curved geometry in the routing design, the system prevents sharp bends and excessive twisting that would cause cable failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Volume of moving object

If cables are routed close to each other to save space, then device size is reduced, but noise interference between cables increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cable routing path are designed with different characteristics. Areas where cables are close together have enhanced noise shielding measures, while other areas maintain sufficient separation. The guiding structure creates localized zones that prevent noise interference even when cables are densely packed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity of cables, which normally causes noise interference, is converted into a space-efficient design feature. By using noise-shielding materials and optimized routing, the system turns what would be a harmful close-proximity arrangement into a beneficial compact configuration that reduces overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution reduces the likelihood of cable damage and noise, thereby enhancing the reliability of image reading and forming processes by minimizing irregularities in image data and maintaining image quality.

Implementation Method 1

with ferrite cores to attenuate signal noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2369417B1Multifunction apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2369417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2369417B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2369417B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A configuration for an image reading device, an image forming device or a multifunction apparatus may include systems and arrangements for routing electrical flexible flat cables to reduce potential damage and noise. The positioning and connection points between various other components including reading portions, hinge members, a control circuit board and the like may also be configured to reduce size, noise and potential for damage.