Light Transmitting Member Gap Control for Image Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a uniform gap in the sheet conveyance path, leading to issues such as sheet fluttering and decreased image resolution due to non-planarity of the light transmitting member, which affects front/back registration accuracy in image forming systems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveyance path with a light transmitting member, first and second reading units, rollers, and abutment portions to maintain a consistent gap between the light transmitting member and rollers, ensuring stable sheet conveyance and accurate image reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple reading units are provided to widen readable width, then image reading coverage is improved, but maintaining uniform gap in sheet conveyance path becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A light transmitting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the sheet and the reading units. This member has a specific shape designed to maintain a uniform gap with the sheet during conveyance, thereby ensuring consistent image reading quality across the widened readable area while compensating for any irregularities in the conveyance path.
2Stability of the object's composition
If gap in sheet conveyance path is increased, then sheet fluttering is reduced, but image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape of the light transmitting member is specifically designed and optimized to maintain a precise, uniform gap distance. This controlled parameter ensures that the gap is neither too large (which would cause fluttering) nor too small (which would reduce resolution), thereby achieving optimal image reading quality while maintaining sheet stability.
3Measurement precision
If gap in sheet conveyance path is decreased, then image resolution is improved, but sheet fluttering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light transmitting member acts as a mediator that ensures a controlled, uniform gap between the sheet and the reading units. This intermediary structure prevents excessive fluttering while maintaining sufficient proximity for high-resolution image reading, thereby resolving the trade-off between sheet stability and image resolution.
4Area of moving object
If light transmitting member area is increased, then readable width is widened, but planarity of light transmitting member becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The shape and thickness parameters of the light transmitting member are specifically designed to maintain planarity across its entire area. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the member can span a wide area to enable multi-unit reading while ensuring sufficient rigidity and planarity to maintain uniform gap with the sheet during conveyance.
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 a uniform gap in the sheet conveyance path, reducing sheet fluttering and improving image resolution, thereby enhancing the accuracy of front/back registration in image forming systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting member arranged to form a part of the conveyance path; a first reading unit configured to read through the light transmitting member an image of a first surface of the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus including: a conveyance path; a light transmitting member; a first reading unit; a second reading unit; a first roller disposed opposite to the first reading unit; a second roller disposed opposite to the second reading unit; a holding member configured to hold the first roller and the second roller; a plurality of first abutment portions provided on both end portion sides in a width direction of the first roller and forming a gap between the light transmitting member and the first roller by abutting on the light transmitting member; a plurality of second abutment portions provided on both end portion sides in the width direction of the second roller and forming a gap between the light transmitting member and the second roller by abutting on the light transmitting member; and an urging member urges the holding member against the light transmitting member.