Lateral Coupling Alignment in Document Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with the lateral side coupling portions displacing from their original position, leading to malfunctioning lock mechanisms and aesthetic deterioration due to level differences, when the document reading unit is opened or closed.
Innovation Solution
A correction mechanism comprising concave and convex parts is introduced to correct the position of the lateral side coupling parts with respect to the document reading unit, ensuring proper alignment and preventing displacement, thereby maintaining the lock mechanism's functionality and the apparatus's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the document reading unit is made openable and closable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the lateral side coupling portions may displace from their original position causing malfunction and appearance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A correction mechanism serving as an intermediary component is introduced between the lateral side coupling portions and the document reading unit. This mechanism includes a correction portion with a convex-concave fitting structure that mediates the interaction, allowing the document reading unit to open and close while preventing displacement of the lateral side coupling portions through the fitting engagement
2Ease of operation
If the document reading unit is made openable and closable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the appearance is deteriorated due to level differences
Solution Approach 1:
The correction mechanism acts as an intermediary that maintains the proper positioning of the lateral side coupling portions relative to the document reading unit. The convex-concave fitting structure in the correction portion ensures that the lateral side faces remain aligned on the same plane, preventing level differences and maintaining the apparatus's appearance
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lateral side coupling portions are reinforced at the rear end, then the stability is improved, but the front upper portions may still displace
Solution Approach 1:
The correction mechanism is divided into multiple functional segments: a correction portion with convex-concave fitting structure, and a positioning portion. This segmentation allows the rear end reinforcement to maintain stability while the correction portion specifically addresses the displacement issue at the front upper portions through the fitting engagement
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main unit, a unit coupling part, a document reading unit, and a correction mechanism. The unit coupling part includes a rear side coupling part and a pair of lateral side coupling parts whose rear end portions are coupled to the rear side coupling part. The document reading unit is supported by the unit coupling part in an openable and closable manner. The correction mechanism corrects a position of the pair of lateral side coupling parts with respect to the document reading unit in a facing direction where the lateral side coupling parts face each other, by closing the document reading unit.