Grounded Pressing Member for Image Reading Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses face issues with document jamming near reading units and electric charge accumulation, which affect image quality during document conveyance.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a movable cover, a metal pressing member, and a ground member that allows for easy jam removal and electric charge release, ensuring high-quality image reading by pressing documents onto reading units and grounding electric charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a document is conveyed through a reading unit, then image reading is performed, but document jamming occurs in the vicinity of the reading unit
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is extracted from the reading unit assembly and made movable relative to the reading unit. It can be separated from the document path when not needed for pressing, allowing jammed documents to be easily removed without disassembling the entire reading unit. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by maintaining pressing capability when needed while enabling easy jam removal when problems occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is designed to be movable between a pressing position (where it contacts the document) and a retracted position (where it is separated from the document path). This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between document pressing mode and jam removal mode, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable document conveyance and enabling easy jam removal.
2Measurement precision
If a pressing member is used to press the document toward the reading unit, then image reading quality is improved, but electric charges accumulate due to rubbing with the document
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed with a grounding mechanism that converts the harmful effect of friction-generated electric charges into a beneficial outcome. By providing a ground connection, the accumulated charges are safely discharged, transforming the potential harm (charge accumulation affecting image quality) into a benefit (charge neutralization that maintains reading quality). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the pressing function while eliminating the harmful charge accumulation.
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
Facilitates easy removal of document jams and releases electric charges, enhancing image reading quality by ensuring proper document alignment and charge neutralization during the reading process.
Implementation Method 1
a ground member (91) directly connected to the frame (31, 82) and configured to be separated from the pressing member (63) when the maintenance cover (9) is at the opened position, and to be in contact with the pressing member (63) when the maintenance cover (9) is at the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit which reads an image on a document while being conveyed, a cover movable between an opened position where the reading unit is opened and a closed position where the reading unit is covered, a metal pressing member held by the cover and configured to face the reading unit and press the document toward the reading unit when the cover is at the closed position, a metal frame supporting the conveyor and configured to face the pressing member when the cover is at the closed position, and a ground member directly connected to the frame and configured to be separated from the pressing member when the cover is at the opened position, and to be in contact with the pressing member when the cover is at the closed position.