Sealed Image Reading Unit with Elastic Seal and Adjustable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face issues with foreign substances adhering to the platen glass, causing image streaks and difficulty in cleaning between the glass and the reading sensor, and alignment challenges due to document skewing during reading.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sealed unit with a transparent portion and an elastic portion to prevent foreign substances from entering between the reading unit and the transparent portion, and an adjustable mechanism to align the reading unit with the document, ensuring accurate image reading while maintaining a sealed state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reading unit is sealed to prevent foreign substances, then image streaks are prevented, but adjustment of the reading unit position becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed unit is divided into a case and a cover that can be separated from each other. The reading unit is positioned in the case, and the cover seals the case while allowing access to the reading unit when removed. This segmentation enables both sealing for reliability and easy adjustment/maintenance by simply separating the cover from the case.
Solution Approach 2:
The reading unit is designed to be extractable from the sealed unit by removing the cover. This allows the reading unit to be taken out for adjustment, cleaning, or replacement without damaging the sealing structure, thus maintaining both the sealing benefit and ease of maintenance.
2Measurement precision
If the reading unit is fixed to maintain alignment, then reading accuracy is ensured, but adaptability to skewed documents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reading unit is made adjustable within the sealed unit by providing movable mounting positions or adjustable mounting mechanisms. This allows the reading unit to be dynamically repositioned to align with documents of different orientations, while maintaining a fixed, sealed structure during operation for reading accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameters of the reading unit can be changed by adjusting its location within the sealed unit. This enables adaptation to different document alignment conditions while maintaining the sealed environment, allowing both precision and versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the space between the case and opening is left empty, then assembly is simple, but foreign substances can enter the reading unit
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic portion made of flexible material fills the space between the case and the opening. This elastic sealant prevents foreign substances from entering while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, maintaining both simplicity and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion acts as an intermediary element between the case and the opening, filling the gap and providing sealing functionality. This simple intermediary component effectively prevents foreign substance entry without complicating the assembly process.
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 streaks by sealing out foreign substances and allows for easy adjustment of the reading unit to maintain accurate image reading, even with skewed documents, enhancing reading accuracy and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a deforming portion configured to maintain a sealed state of the sealed unit and deform so as to allow movement of the projecting portion
Implementation Method 2
a transparent portion configured to transmit light to be received by the photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus including a reading unit comprising a photodetector configured to read an image information on a sheet, and a projecting portion, a case storing the photodetector therein, the case comprising a transparent portion configured to transmit light to be received by the photodetector, and a portion defining an opening through which the projecting portion is projected outward from the case, and an elastic portion provided to fill a space where the projecting portion is not present in the opening. The case movably stores the photodetector within a range where the projecting portion is movable in the opening.