Image Reader Cover Detector Layout for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image readers face challenges in downsizing and efficiently laying out harnesses for sensors and motors, leading to space constraints and difficulties in detecting the open or closed state of the cover, which can result in sheet feeding errors.
Innovation Solution
The image reader design includes a housing with a rotating cover that exposes or covers a conveyor roller, a detector positioned on the same side as the drive unit to detect the cover's position, and a motor layout that allows for a compact and efficient placement of harnesses, enabling accurate detection and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor and motor are disposed in an ingenious manner, then the image reader can be downsized and harness layout becomes easier, but the layout of sensor and motor becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is integrated with the drive unit by disposing the detector on the same side as the drive unit with respect to the sheet support surface. This merging of detection and drive functions into a shared spatial location simplifies the overall device structure, reduces the number of separate components, and makes harness layout easier while maintaining compact size.
2Area of stationary object
If the detector is disposed on the same side as the drive unit, then harness layout becomes easier and space is reduced, but the detection accuracy might be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is specifically positioned to face the cover from the same side as the drive unit, creating a localized detection zone optimized for cover position monitoring. This targeted positioning ensures that the detector maintains adequate detection accuracy while being disposed in a space-efficient location alongside the drive unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reader is provided that includes a housing, a sheet support surface disposed at the housing and configured to support a sheet placed thereon, a conveyor that includes a roller and conveys the sheet in a first direction, a drive unit generating a driving force for driving the conveyor, an image sensor unit reading an image on the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor, a cover configured to rotate between an open position to expose the roller and a closed position to cover the roller around a rotational axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a detector configured to output a first signal when the cover is in the closed position and output a second signal when the cover is in the open position, the detector disposed on a same side as the drive unit in the second direction with respect to the sheet support surface.