Image Reading Unit Hinge Mechanism for Floor Irregularity Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience distortion in the image reading unit due to concave and convex floor surfaces, leading to image distortion during reading.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a housing with shaft sections, bearing sections, and abutment sections that allow the image reading unit to rotate and abut against the housing, preventing distortion by distributing weight and reducing the transmission of floor surface irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image reading unit is fixed to the apparatus main body, then the image reading unit is prevented from being lifted, but distortion occurs in the image reading unit due to concave and convex floor surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed connection between the image reading unit and apparatus main body into a movable connection. The hinge mechanism allows the image reading unit to rotate and adapt to floor surface irregularities, while the abutment sections provide dynamic support points that accommodate vertical displacements without causing distortion to the platen or image reading sensors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image reading unit is mounted above the apparatus main body, then space is saved, but the image reading unit is affected by distortion from the apparatus main body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary elements (hinge mechanism and abutment sections) between the image reading unit and apparatus main body. These intermediaries decouple the two components, allowing the image reading unit to maintain its compact mounted position while isolating it from distortion transmitted through the apparatus main body structure.
3Strength
If the image reading unit is rigidly connected to the housing, then structural stability is improved, but floor surface irregularities cause distortion in the image reading unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection structure into multiple independent components: hinge sections at different locations, multiple abutment sections, and bearing sections. This segmentation allows each component to independently accommodate local deformations from floor irregularities, preventing the transmission of distortion to the image reading unit while maintaining overall structural stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a housing (10), an image reading section (32), shaft sections, bearing sections (123A, 123B), abutment sections, and abutting sections. The housing is provided with an upper surface section. The image reading section has a first wall, a second wall, a bottom surface and a platen (550). The image reading section is mounted on the upper surface section of the housing. The shaft sections are installed at the bottom surface and provided with a rotating shaft. The bearing sections are provided at the upper surface section of the housing and the shaft sections are inserted into the bearing sections. The abutment sections are disposed at the upper surface section and arranged to face the bottom surface of the image reading section. The abutting sections are disposed at the bottom surface and are caused by the weight of the image reading section to abut against the abutment sections. Thus a change in shape of the housing is not transmitted to the upside reading section.