Light Guide Holder Support via Sliding Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices for image reading devices lack a reliable support mechanism for the light guide holder, regardless of the presence or absence of a cover glass.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device incorporates a rod-shaped light guide with a light guide holding portion that has a hole for inserting the light guide's end surface, a supporter that slides along the light guide's longitudinal direction, and a housing that fixes the supporter, restricting the sliding direction using concave-convex portions to ensure stable support of the light guide holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover glass is used to support the light guide holder, then the light guide holder can be supported, but the structure becomes more complex and the support reliability is insufficient when the cover glass is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated supporter component as an intermediary element between the housing and the light guide holder. This supporter specifically serves to support the light guide holder, eliminating the need to rely on the cover glass for support functionality. The supporter can be integrated into the housing structure, providing reliable support while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the light guide holder is freely movable, then assembly is easier, but the position stability and illumination consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic support mechanism where the supporter allows controlled movement of the light guide holder during assembly, but provides positional constraint once assembled. The supporter structure enables the light guide holder to be positioned and fixed in a specific location, achieving both ease of assembly and position stability through its design that permits initial movement but maintains final positional integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sliding direction is not restricted, then the light guide holder can adjust freely, but the illumination consistency and reading quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement freedom of the light guide holder by introducing directional constraints through the supporter structure. The supporter restricts sliding to specific directions (typically perpendicular to the optical axis) while maintaining freedom in other directions if needed. This segmentation of movement freedom ensures that the light guide holder can adjust adaptively within permitted directions while maintaining precise positioning in critical directions for illumination consistency.
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 allows for reliable support of the light guide holder, restricting its sliding direction to the longitudinal axis, thereby maintaining the light guide's position and ensuring consistent illumination, regardless of the presence or absence of a cover glass.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitted from the light source enters from an end surface of the light guide (a light incident surface) and is guided, and the illumination device emits linear light from a light exit surface that is a lateral surface of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device and an image reading device are characterized by including: a rod-shaped light guide extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to guide light entering from an exterior and emit the light as linear light from a lateral surface; a light guide holding portion having a hole into which an end surface of the light guide is inserted; a supporter supporting the light guide holding portion slidably along the longitudinal direction; and a housing supporting or housing the light guide, the light guide holding portion and the supporter, at least the supporter being fixed to the housing, a direction of sliding of the light guide holding portion being restricted to the longitudinal direction by a supporter-side concave-convex portion that is a supporter-side groove portion or a supporter-side protruding portion at least one of which is formed on the supporter along the longitudinal direction.