Image Reading Apparatus Compact Layout via Reversing Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in downsizing in the front-rear direction due to the linear arrangement of the feed tray, conveyor path, and discharge tray, which limits their compactness.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus incorporates a reversing guide that reverses the sheet's direction within the conveyor path, allowing the feed tray and discharge tray to overlap vertically, and features a pivoting second housing and stoppers to manage sheet orientation and accessibility, enabling a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the feed tray, conveyer path, and discharge tray are arranged in a linear front-rear configuration, then the sheet can be easily fed and discharged, but the apparatus cannot be downsized in the front-rear direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the traditionally linear front-rear arrangement by incorporating a reversing guide that changes the sheet's conveyance direction from horizontal to vertical and back. This allows the discharge tray to be positioned below the feed tray vertically, transforming a one-dimensional linear layout into a two-dimensional configuration that reduces front-rear length while maintaining operational accessibility
2Length of moving object
If the discharge tray is positioned at a lower position to enable vertical stacking, then the apparatus can be downsized, but user accessibility for sheet removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between a lowered position (for compactness) and a raised position (for user accessibility). This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to optimize both the reduced front-rear dimension and ease of sheet removal by adapting the discharge tray's position based on operational requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus, having a housing, a feed tray, and a reader sensor, is provided. The housing includes a reversing guide, a discharge tray, and an opening. The reversing guide is configured to reverse a first face and a second face of a sheet and guide the sheet from a first position toward a second position in a direction from a rear side toward a front side at the first position and in a direction from the front side toward, the rear side at the second position. The discharge tray is arranged at a position lower than the reversing guide and is configured to support the sheet discharged from the conveyer path. The opening is formed between the reversing guide and the discharge tray and is configured to expose the sheet supported by the discharge tray so that the sheet is removed through the front side of the housing.