Image Reading Device Opposing Member Linkage for Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices face difficulties in cleaning the reading unit due to insufficient space between the reading unit and the opposing member when the opening and closing mechanism is open, which is similar or smaller than when it is closed.
Innovation Solution
The image reading device includes a housing with a transport path, an opening and closing member, a reading unit, and an opposing member that moves away from the reading unit during the opening operation of the opening and closing member, increasing the gap between them for easier cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening and closing member is opened to access the reading unit for cleaning, then accessibility is improved, but the space between the reading unit and opposing member remains insufficient for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing member is made movable relative to the reading unit through a linkage mechanism connected to the opening and closing member. When the opening and closing member opens, the opposing member automatically moves away from the reading unit, dynamically adjusting the space between them to enable effective cleaning access.
2Device complexity
If the opposing member is positioned close to the reading unit when closed, then the device structure is compact, but cleaning access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static opposing member position to a dynamic one, where the opposing member's position changes based on the opening and closing member's state. This allows the device to maintain structural compactness when closed while providing adequate cleaning access when opened.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the opening and closing member and the opposing member, transmitting the opening motion to move the opposing member away from the reading unit, thereby enabling cleaning access without direct manual manipulation.
3Volume of moving object
If the space between reading unit and opposing member is maintained small when open, then the overall device size is reduced, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the reading unit and opposing member is dynamically adjusted: small when closed for compact device size, and enlarged when opened for easy cleaning. The linkage mechanism enables this dynamic spatial transformation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device includes a housing that includes a transport path along which a document is transported, an opening and closing member that is attached to the housing in such a manner as to be openable and closable, a reading unit that is disposed in such a manner as to be positioned between the transport path and the opening and closing member and that reads an image from the document, which is transported along the transport path, and an opposing member that is disposed in such a manner as to be opposed to the reading unit with the transport path interposed between the opposing member and the reading unit and that is moved away from the reading unit in conjunction with an opening operation of the opening and closing member.