Image Reader Sensor Airflow Layout for Dust-Safe Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses face challenges in effectively suppressing temperature rises of reading sensors, leading to potential reading errors due to dust and dirt accumulation, which compromises reading accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus incorporates a fan positioned to blow air through an opening facing the sensor unit differently, creating airflow paths between the sensor unit and a supporting member, which helps in equalizing cooling efficiency and reducing temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If openings are disposed in the reading units to suppress temperature rise, then temperature control is improved, but dust and dirt adhere to the reading units causing decrease in reading quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a semi-sealed structure with a transparent cover that allows controlled air flow while preventing dust and dirt from reaching the reading sensors. The cover acts as a protective barrier that maintains a balance between heat dissipation and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium to carry heat away from the reading sensors through the transparent cover, while the cover itself serves as a second intermediary that blocks dust and dirt particles from reaching the sensors.
2Temperature
If fans are disposed in the interior of the reading units to cool by stirring internal air, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fan component from the reading unit interior and replaces it with a passive cooling structure consisting of a transparent cover with air flow paths. This extraction of the active cooling mechanism simplifies the device while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent cover structure enables natural air flow cooling without requiring external power sources or active components. The design allows ambient air to flow through the cover, passively carrying heat away from the reading sensors through convection and radiation.
3Temperature
If conventional configurations are used to cool reading units, then some temperature suppression is achieved, but reading accuracy decreases due to insufficient temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized cooling design by positioning the transparent cover specifically over the reading sensor area, allowing targeted heat dissipation where it is most needed. The air flow paths are configured to focus cooling effect on the reading sensors while maintaining overall unit temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from internal air stirring (three-dimensional turbulent flow) to surface-level air flow across the transparent cover (two-dimensional laminar flow). This dimensional change provides more uniform and predictable cooling, improving temperature stability and reading accuracy.
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 enhances reading accuracy by efficiently cooling the sensor unit, minimizing temperature variations, and reducing the impact of dust and dirt, thereby improving overall reading performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to blow air... The sensor unit and the supporting member are disposed such that a flow path of air that has passed through the opening is formed between the sensor unit and the supporting member
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit and a reading unit. The reading unit includes a transparent member, a sensor unit including a substrate to which an image reading element is connected, and configured to read an image of the sheet through the transparent member, a fan configured to blow air, a supporting member including an opening formed at a position where the opening faces the sensor unit, and supporting the sensor unit, and a casing accommodating the sensor unit, the fan, and the supporting member. The fan is disposed in a manner of facing the opening on a side, with respect to the opening, different from a side on which the sensor unit faces the opening. The sensor unit and the supporting member are disposed such that a flow path of air that has passed through the opening is formed between the sensor unit and the supporting member.