Folded Sheet Guide for Noise-Free Image Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses generate paper dust and toner adhesion due to sharp edges guiding sheets, leading to striped noise in scanned images.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a guide member made of elastic sheet material having a folded leading end to prevent paper dust generation and toner adhesion, using a contact image sensor (CIS) for accurate image scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sharp edge guide member is used to guide the sheet, then the sheet alignment is improved, but paper dust and toner adhesion are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The leading end of the guide member is formed with a curved surface instead of a sharp edge. This curved surface has a radius of curvature that is smaller than the width of the sheet, allowing the sheet to follow the curve while reducing concentration of pressure at any single point, thereby suppressing paper dust generation and toner adhesion while maintaining sheet alignment guidance
2Ease of operation
If a sharp edge guide member is used to guide the sheet, then the sheet guidance function is improved, but contact pressure concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface at the leading end distributes the contact pressure along the arc of the curve rather than concentrating it at a sharp edge. This allows the sheet to be guided effectively while reducing the peak pressure that would otherwise occur at a sharp edge contact point
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
Suppresses paper dust and toner adhesion, ensuring accurate and noise-free image scanning by maintaining sheet alignment and reducing contact pressure at the guide member edge.
Implementation Method 1
a leading end of the guide member which guides the sheet toward a transparent member is a sharp edge, pressure is concentrated on a contact portion between the sheet and the leading end of the guide member
Data Source
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AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member, a conveyance unit, a reading unit reading an image information through the transparent member from the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit, and a guide member provided upstream of a reading position where the reading unit reads the image information from the sheet with respect to a sheet conveyance direction. The guide member includes a sheet-like sheet member having elasticity. A leading end of a downstream side of the guide member in the sheet conveyance direction is a folded portion formed by folding back the sheet member.