Image Reading Device Sliding Contact Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading devices face challenges in suppressing shaking and irregular movement of the image reading unit during scanning, leading to image blur and increased production costs due to complex assembly and high motor power requirements.

Innovation Solution

The image reading device incorporates a sliding portion with first and second contact portions that maintain point or line contact with the guide shaft, ensuring F1 > F2*tanθ1, which prevents lifting and shaking, and allows for cost-effective suppression of image reading unit movement issues by regulating the position of these contact portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a groove is formed over an entire sliding surface to suppress lateral shaking, then lateral shaking is suppressed, but the contact point moves due to rotation moment causing repeated lifting and falling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral shaking suppressionVSAvoidimage blur
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface is segmented into multiple contact portions (first contact portion and second contact portion) instead of using a single groove. The first contact portion contacts the guide shaft above the center axis to suppress lifting, while the second contact portion contacts the guide shaft below the center axis to suppress lateral shaking. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of lateral shaking suppression and lifting prevention into a single sliding portion structure. By combining multiple contact portions with different functions in one integrated component, the solution achieves both stability requirements simultaneously without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a belt is hooked on a hook portion away from the fixed position to suppress shaking, then shaking is suppressed, but rotation moment causes bearing surface to be pressed against guide rail increasing movement resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaking suppressionVSAvoidmovement resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting portion is positioned at a specific location on the image reading unit to dynamically balance the rotation moment during movement. By optimizing the position of the connecting portion, the system achieves shaking suppression while minimizing excessive pressing force on the guide rail, thereby reducing movement resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the position parameter of the connecting portion and contact portions to achieve the desired balance between shaking suppression and movement resistance. By carefully selecting the vertical position of the connecting portion and the contact portions relative to the center axis, the system achieves effective stabilization without excessive friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If contact area between bearing surface and guide rail is increased to suppress shaking, then shaking is suppressed, but motor power requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaking suppressionVSAvoidmotor power
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the overall contact area, the invention applies local quality by positioning contact portions at specific locations (above and below the center axis) where they can effectively suppress shaking. This localized contact approach provides sufficient stabilization without the need for large contact areas that would increase friction and motor power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If complex guide surface is provided around hook portion to guide belt, then shaking is suppressed, but assembly becomes cumbersome and production cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaking suppressionVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion serves multiple functions: it guides the belt, suppresses lateral shaking, and prevents lifting through its specific contact portion configuration. By making the sliding portion multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for separate complex guide surfaces, simplifying assembly and reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents image reading unit shaking during movement at a lower cost, maintaining image quality without the need for high-power motors or complex assembly, ensuring stable image reading.

Implementation Method 1

a first contact portion and a second contact portion that come into point contact or line contact with the partial cylindrical surface of the guide shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

F1>F2×tanθ1, where θ1 represents an angle formed by a perpendicular line with respect to a tangential plane of the guide shaft and a horizontal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2615816B1Image reading device
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC
  • EP2615816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2615816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2615816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a structure capable of preventing shaking of an image reading unit (1) during movement at low cost. A first contact portion (T1) between the image reading unit (1) and a guide shaft (2A) supports force (F1) acting in a gravity direction and force (F2) acting in a horizontal direction in the case where the image reading unit (1) moves in a predetermined direction. In this case, the first contact portion is arranged so as to satisfy F1>F2×tanθ1, where θ1 represents an angle formed by a perpendicular line (γ) with respect to a tangential plane (β) of the guide shaft (2A) and the horizontal direction. Thus, the image reading unit (1) can be prevented from being lifted due to rotation moment during movement.