Image Reading Transport Path With Suction-Based Dust Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses suffer from degradation in image quality due to foreign matters like paper dust adhering to the imaging device, which is not effectively removed during the transport of media.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a suction unit with a suction port between the feeding unit and transport roller to remove foreign matters from the transport path, along with a separation roller and a protrusion portion to collect and suck paper dust, and a fan to generate airflow for further removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a gap portion is formed between transport rollers to allow foreign matter accumulation, then foreign matter can be collected in an accommodation portion, but light foreign matter like paper dust continues to adhere to the medium and imaging device due to static electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect by introducing a suction unit that actively removes paper dust from the transport path. The suction unit includes a suction port positioned to draw in paper dust generated during transport, separating this light foreign matter from the medium before it can adhere to the imaging device, thus resolving the contradiction between allowing foreign matter accumulation and preventing adhesion to critical components
Solution Approach 2:
The suction unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the transport path and the imaging device. By positioning the suction port in the transport path, it creates a protective barrier that intercepts paper dust before it reaches the imaging device, preventing direct contact while allowing the medium to pass through unaffected
2Productivity
If paper dust adheres to the medium during transport, then the medium can be transported continuously, but the imaging device becomes contaminated and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit performs preliminary action by removing paper dust from the transport path before it can reach and contaminate the imaging device. The suction port is positioned to intercept paper dust during the transport process itself, preventing contamination before it occurs and eliminating the need for frequent cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of paper dust generation into a beneficial process by using the suction unit to actively remove the dust. The paper dust that would otherwise be a contaminant is now captured and removed through the suction mechanism, transforming the problem into a controlled cleaning process that maintains continuous operation
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
Effectively suppresses the adhesion of foreign matters onto the reading unit, improving image reading quality and reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit including a suction port arranged between the feeding unit and the transport roller in the transport path and being configured to suck a foreign matter in the transport path via the suction port
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a feeding unit being configured to transport a medium along a transport path in a transport direction and including a feeding roller and a separation roller configured to nip the medium with the feeding roller and performs separation of the medium, a transport roller being arranged downstream of the feeding unit in the transport direction and being configured to transport the medium in the transport direction, a reading unit being arranged downstream of the transport roller in the transport direction and being configured to read an image of the medium, and a suction unit including a suction port arranged between the feeding unit and the transport roller in the transport path and being configured to suck a foreign matter in the transport path.