Oblique Scan Channel Scanner for Dust-Free Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners face challenges in maintaining scanning quality due to dust accumulation on the scanning glass, which requires additional components and increased power consumption for cleaning, leading to noise and increased volume.
Innovation Solution
The scanning module features an oblique scan channel and inclined scanning glass, where the document's movement generates friction to wipe away dust, eliminating the need for extra cleaning mechanisms and reducing internal components and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a horizontal scan channel is used, then the document can be fed through easily, but dust accumulates on the scanning glass due to electrostatic force
Solution Approach 1:
The scan channel is designed with an oblique angle rather than being horizontal, creating an asymmetric configuration that allows dust to slide off the scanning glass under gravity while maintaining document feeding capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent dust accumulation through active cleaning mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by designing the scan channel angle so that dust naturally slides off during the scanning process, turning a harmful effect into a self-cleaning mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a brush cleaning mechanism is added, then dust can be swept away from the scanning glass, but the device volume and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system itself performs the cleaning function by utilizing the oblique scan channel design, where the document movement and gravity work together to remove dust automatically, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is extracted from the scanning process by designing the scan channel geometry to enable passive dust removal, separating the need for active cleaning components from the core scanning operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a brush cleaning mechanism is added, then dust can be swept away from the scanning glass, but power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own operational movement (document feeding through the oblique channel) to perform cleaning, requiring no additional power-consuming components
Solution Approach 2:
The active mechanical brush cleaning system is replaced with a passive gravitational mechanism where dust particles slide off the scanning glass surface due to the oblique angle and gravity, eliminating motor-driven cleaning components
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 design allows for automatic dust removal during scanning, maintaining quality while reducing noise, power consumption, and internal volume, as the document's contact with the inclined scanning glass effectively clears dust, preventing accumulation and enhancing scanning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the document's movement generates friction to wipe away dust
Implementation Method 2
dust will be accumulated at the scanning glass 50′ of the scan channel 20′, and will be attracted by the scanning glass 50′ of the scan channel 20′ by an electrostatic force
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner includes a scanning module. The scanning module has a scan channel and a scanning glass. A lower surface of the scanner is defined as a bottom wall of the scan channel. The scanning glass is positioned above the scan channel. A bottom surface of the scanning glass is defined as a top wall of the scan channel. The lower surface of the scanner has an upstream turn connected between an upstream section and a middle section of the lower surface of the scanner, the middle section of the lower surface of the scanner is parallel with the bottom surface of the scanning glass.