Linked Feed and Discharge Trays for Easier Image Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses require separate pull-out directions for the feed tray and discharge tray, which complicates user operation and reduces convenience.
Innovation Solution
The feed tray and discharge tray are designed to move in a shared pull-out direction, allowing one tray to facilitate the movement of the other, thereby simplifying the user's operation and reducing the time and effort required to individually pull out both trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feed tray and discharge tray are designed to be pulled out in separate directions, then each tray can be accessed independently, but the user operation becomes complicated and convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pull-out operations of the feed tray and discharge tray by enabling them to move in the same direction. When one tray is pulled out, the other tray automatically follows suit through the coupling mechanism, allowing users to access both trays with a single pulling action rather than separate operations in different directions
2Loss of time
If the feed tray and discharge tray move independently, then each tray can be positioned precisely, but the time and effort required to individually pull out both trays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movement of the feed tray and discharge tray into a single coordinated action. The coupling mechanism ensures that when one tray is pulled out, the other tray moves simultaneously in the same direction, reducing the total time and effort required while maintaining precise positioning control through the shared movement mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a feed tray on which a medium is placed, a conveyance unit configured to convey, from the feed tray, the medium placed on the feed tray, an image reading unit configured to read an image from the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, a discharge tray to which the medium from which the image was read by the image reading unit is discharged, and a housing. The feed tray and the discharge tray are capable of being pulled out in a pull-out direction, and, according to movement of one of the feed tray and the discharge tray in the pull-out direction, the other of the feed tray and the discharge tray moves in the pull-out direction.