Movable Guide Member for Image Reading Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses require a large space and higher costs due to the need for guide shutters to operate in a double-opening manner, which increases the size and complexity of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a movable image reader and a guide member that forms a sheet conveyance path, where the guide member moves in accordance with the image reader's movement in the sheet width direction, eliminating the need for a double-opening operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide shutters are operated in a double-opening manner to reduce sheet jams, then sheet jam occurrence is reduced, but the apparatus size increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide shutter function with the guide member that already exists in the sheet conveyance path. Instead of adding separate double-operating guide shutters, the guide member is made movable to perform both guiding and sheet jam prevention functions, thereby reducing apparatus size and mechanism complexity while maintaining sheet jam reduction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed to be movable in the sheet width direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to guide sheets during conveyance. This dynamic capability enables the guide member to prevent sheet jams without requiring the complex double-opening mechanism of traditional guide shutters, thus reducing apparatus size while improving reliability
2Reliability
If guide shutters are operated in a double-opening manner, then sheet conveyance reliability is improved, but the space required for operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sheet guidance function and sheet jam prevention function into a single movable guide member. This eliminates the need for separate double-operating guide shutters that would require additional space, thereby reducing apparatus size while maintaining conveyance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member serves multiple functions: it guides sheets during conveyance and simultaneously prevents sheet jams by being movable in the sheet width direction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional space-consuming components while improving sheet conveyance reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image reading apparatus that reads image information of a sheet after image formation. The image reading apparatus includes: an image reader that is disposed movable in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction and that reads the image information of the sheet; and a guide member that forms a sheet conveyance path. The guide member moves in accordance with a movement of the image reader in the sheet width direction.