Grounded Support Shaft for Image Reading Carriage Static Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses with metal carriages and synthetic resin bushings are prone to static electricity buildup, leading to noise in output signals and deterioration of image quality due to the electrically floating state of the carriage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive support shaft grounded to a potential and a conduction member that connects the conductive carriage to the support shaft, ensuring electrical conductivity and grounding to prevent static electricity accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal carriage with synthetic resin bushing is used, then the rigidity and accuracy of the carriage are improved and costs are reduced, but static electricity accumulates on the carriage causing noise in output signals and deterioration of image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A conduction member (metal plate or wire) is introduced as an intermediary between the metal carriage and the support shaft to establish an electrical conduction path. This mediator allows static electricity to be discharged from the carriage to ground through the support shaft, resolving the static electricity accumulation problem while preserving the metal carriage's rigidity benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conduction function is extracted from the mechanical support system by adding a separate conduction member. This allows the carriage to maintain its metal construction for rigidity while the dedicated conduction path handles the static electricity discharge function
2Volume of moving object
If a metal carriage with synthetic resin bushing is used, then the size of the carriage can be reduced, but the carriage becomes electrically insulated and prone to static electricity charging
Solution Approach 1:
The conduction member acts as an intermediary that pierces through the insulating bushing to create a controlled electrical connection. This allows the bushing to maintain its electrical insulation properties for mechanical support while the conduction member provides a dedicated path for static electricity discharge
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the carriage is made electrically conductive to prevent static electricity, then static electricity is eliminated, but the carriage structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the carriage and simultaneously acts as an electrical conduction path to ground. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate grounding structures, reducing overall system complexity while effectively preventing static electricity 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
This configuration effectively suppresses the influence of static electricity, stabilizes the carriage, and maintains the quality of the read image by ensuring the carriage is grounded, thus reducing noise in the output signal.
Implementation Method 1
a conduction member which allows a conductive part of the carriage and the support shaft to be electrically conducted to each other
Implementation Method 2
the bearing section is supported by the support shaft in a state of abutting against the support shaft
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a reading device; a carriage which the reading device is loaded; a support shaft which is formed of a conductive material, which is grounded to a ground potential, and which supports the carriage; and a conduction member which allows a conductive part of the carriage and the support shaft to be electrically conducted to each other, in which the carriage includes a bearing section which is formed of a material having electric insulation properties, in which the bearing section is supported by the support shaft in a state of abutting against the support shaft from one side of the support shaft in a direction intersecting with a shaft line of the support shaft, and in which the conduction member is fixed to the carriage, and abuts against the support shaft from a side opposite to the support shaft.