Image Sensor Support Mechanism for ADF Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flatbed image reading devices with automatic document feeders (ADFs), achieving precise positioning between the image sensor and the ADF is challenging due to increased parts interposed between them, leading to potential image quality unevenness from misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The image reading device incorporates a support with a guide and a release unit, featuring projection portions that allow precise movement and separation from the guide, enabling stable positioning and improved alignment between the image sensor and the ADF, with a simple and compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an ADF is added to a flatbed image reading device, then the device can read conveyed documents, but the positioning precision between the image sensor and the ADF deteriorates due to increased parts interposed
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure is introduced as an intermediary component that carries both the image sensor and the ADF, establishing a fixed positional relationship between them. This support acts as a mediator that directly connects the two components, eliminating the need for multiple intermediate parts and thereby maintaining high positioning precision while enabling both flatbed and ADF reading functions.
2Device complexity
If multiple parts are interposed between the image sensor and the guide shaft, then the device structure becomes more complex, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to accumulated tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure merges the mounting functions for the image sensor and the ADF into a single integrated component. By combining these mounting functions into one part, the number of intermediate components is reduced, which minimizes the accumulation of dimensional tolerances and maintains high positioning precision between the image sensor and the ADF.
3Ease of manufacture
If the image sensor and ADF are positioned with low precision, then the device is easier to manufacture, but image quality becomes uneven due to inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure creates an equipotential positioning system where the image sensor and ADF are both referenced to the same support component. This ensures that both components are positioned at the same precision level relative to each other, eliminating relative inclination and ensuring uniform image quality across all reading operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image reading device comprising: a document placing portion; a conveyor; a reading unit configured to read an image of the document, wherein the reading unit includes: an image sensor; a support which supports the image sensor, wherein in the case of reading the image of the document conveyed by the conveyor, the support is to be stopped at a predetermined reading position; a guide; and a driving unit, wherein the reading unit further includes: a release unit configured to release the contact with the guide by separating the support from the guide when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position; and a contact portion configured to contact with the support separated from the guide by the release unit when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position.