Integrated Optical Guide Alignment for Reading Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reading devices face issues with insufficient light reaching the image sensor due to slight displacements between the reflecting unit and the light guiding unit, leading to suboptimal image capture.
Innovation Solution
A reading device with a support unit that fixes the relative position and orientation between the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit, ensuring accurate alignment and positioning to guide light effectively from the document to the image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reflecting unit and a light guiding unit are used to guide light from the document to the image sensor, then light guidance is achieved, but slight displacements between the units cause insufficient light reaching the image sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflecting unit and light guiding unit into a single integrated optical guide structure. The reflecting surface and light guiding surface are formed as one unified component, eliminating the interface between separate units. This integration ensures that light reflected from the document is continuously guided to the image sensor without displacement issues at unit boundaries, resolving the contradiction between achieving light guidance and maintaining positioning precision.
2Volume of moving object
If the reflecting unit and light guiding unit are positioned closely to reduce size, then device compactness is improved, but alignment accuracy between the units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the reflecting unit and light guiding unit into a single integrated structure, the patent eliminates the need for precise alignment between separate components. The unified design allows the optical guide to be positioned closely with other components while maintaining optimal light guidance, as there are no interface alignment requirements between separate units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate reflecting units and light guiding units are used to provide functional flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but positioning complexity and light loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical guide structure performs multiple functions within a single component: it reflects light from the document, guides the light along its path, and directs it to the image sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate units and their complex positioning arrangements, while maintaining the adaptability needed for different reading configurations.
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 ensures consistent and efficient light guidance, improving image quality by maintaining optimal light alignment and reducing the impact of minor positional discrepancies between the reflecting and light guiding units.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflecting unit (33) having a first reflecting surface that reflects the light emitted by the emission unit toward a document
Implementation Method 2
an optical path unit including a second reflecting unit (35) having a second reflecting surface that reflects the light reflected by the first reflecting unit and specularly reflected by the document
Data Source
AI summary
A reading device includes an emission unit that emits light; a first reflecting unit having a first reflecting surface that reflects the light emitted by the emission unit toward a document; an optical path unit including a second reflecting unit having a second reflecting surface that reflects the light reflected by the first reflecting unit and specularly reflected by the document, the optical path unit defining an optical path that guides the light reflected by the second reflecting surface; an image sensor that generates an image represented by light guided by the optical path unit; and a support unit that supports the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit and fixes a relative position and a relative orientation between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface.