Image Reader With Single Document Glass for ADF and Flatbed Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses have an unnecessarily large size due to separate ADF and flatbed scanning areas, leading to instability and packaging inefficiencies, as well as increased risk of damage during distribution.
Innovation Solution
An image reader with a single document glass for both ADF and flatbed scanning, utilizing a guide film instead of a guide member, and a contamination checking unit to monitor and alert for guide film contamination, ensuring efficient operation and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate ADF and flatbed scanning areas are used, then both scanning functions can be provided, but the width of the image reader increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the document glass to serve dual purposes: ADF scanning and flatbed scanning. The control unit intelligently controls the image reading sensor to perform ADF scanning when the cover is closed and flatbed scanning when the cover is open, allowing one structure to fulfill multiple scanning functions without increasing the device width
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image reader width is increased to accommodate separate scanning areas, then both scanning methods are available, but the product stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the stability issue by making the image reader width consistent with the lower part through the multi-functional document glass design. The cover mechanism enables the same document glass to perform both ADF scanning (when closed) and flatbed scanning (when open), eliminating the need for separate scanning areas that would increase width and compromise stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image reader size is increased, then both scanning areas are provided, but packaging efficiency decreases and distribution becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces package box size by implementing the document glass as a multi-functional component that performs both ADF and flatbed scanning. This eliminates the need for separate scanning areas, minimizing the image reader dimensions to match the lower part width, thereby reducing overall apparatus volume and improving packaging efficiency for distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a document glass installed on an upper side of the image reading body on which a document is placed; an image reading sensor installed under the document glass for stopping after being transferred to a predetermined position or for reciprocating in a straight direction parallel to the document glass; a cover for opening and closing the upper surface of the document glass; an automatic document feeder (ADF) for feeding the document to the position to which the image reading sensor is fixed; a document discharging plate for discharging the document fed through the automatic document feeding unit; first and second guide members for guiding to allow the document fed through the automatic document feeding unit to be discharged to the document discharging plate, the first and second guide members being installed at a predetermined interval to expose the document toward the image reading sensor; and a guide film installed to cover the interval between the first and second guide members for guiding to allow the document to be discharged to the document discharging plate. By this structure, a size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.