Movable Guiding Member for Compact Image Reading Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading devices have a large casing and guiding member that are fixed together, making them bulky and inefficient in the sub-scanning direction.

Innovation Solution

An image reading device with a movable guiding member relative to the casing in the sub-scanning direction, utilizing an endless belt that travels between a starting and terminal position, and a carriage with a guide that is attached to the housing to minimize rattling and extend the movable range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the casing and guiding member are fixed together, then the structure is stable, but the device size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: the casing housing the image reading unit is separated from the guiding member. The guiding member is made movable relative to the casing, allowing independent positioning and function optimization for each component, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding member is designed to be movable relative to the casing in the sub-scanning direction, transforming a static fixed structure into a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the guiding member to be positioned only when needed and moved out of the way during operation, reducing the required device volume while maintaining structural stability during reading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the guiding member is fixed to the casing, then the structure is simple, but the movable range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidmovable range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding member is designed to be movable relative to the casing along the sub-scanning direction, enabling the image reading unit to traverse a larger area of the original document. This dynamic configuration increases the effective movable range without significantly complicating the overall structure, as the guiding member simply translates along a linear path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the guide is attached to the housing, then rattling is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverattling reductionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is integrated with the housing structure, merging two components into a unified assembly. This integration eliminates gaps and loose connections that cause rattling, while the combined structure remains relatively simple in design, achieving reliability improvement without significant complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10798265B1Image reading device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image reading device includes an image reading unit that reads an image while moving in a sub-scanning direction, a casing that houses the image reading unit, a guiding member that is movable relative to the casing in the sub-scanning direction and guides the casing in the sub-scanning direction, and an endless member to which the casing is fixed and that endlessly travels between a starting position and a terminal position in the sub-scanning direction.