Positioning Member with Concave Portions for Lens and Sensor Adhesive Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image reading apparatuses using adhesives to fix image forming lenses and sensors suffer from positional displacement due to adhesive volume changes during curing, leading to deteriorated image quality.

Innovation Solution

The use of positioning members with concave portions to retain the lens and sensor units, allowing adhesive contraction to occur within these designated areas, thereby maintaining the proper positional relationship between the retaining members and preventing image quality degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixation with adhesive is used to attach the image forming lens and image sensor, then the fixation process is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the positions of the lens and sensor are displaced due to volume change (contraction) of the adhesive during curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation process simplicityVSAvoidposition accuracy of lens and sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning member is divided into a body portion and a separate positioning protrusion. The positioning protrusion is configured to fit into a corresponding recess of the retaining member, creating a segmented structure that allows the adhesive to be applied only in specific designated areas while maintaining overall positional accuracy through the mechanical interlock of the body and protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member has different functional zones: the body portion provides adhesive attachment surface, while the positioning protrusion provides mechanical positioning. The adhesive is applied locally only in the recess areas, not across the entire surface, allowing controlled contraction in specific zones while maintaining precision through the protrusion-recess mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixation with screws is used to attach the image forming lens and image sensor, then the positional stability is better, but the fixation process becomes more complex and causes displacement at final tightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidfixation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical screw-fastening system with an adhesive-based fixation system enhanced by a positioning member. The positioning member includes a body portion that adheres to the retaining member via adhesive and a positioning protrusion that provides mechanical positioning, combining the simplicity of adhesive fixation with the positional stability of mechanical positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member acts as an intermediary component between the adhesive and the retaining member. It receives the adhesive application, controls the adhesive's positional effect through its structured body and protrusion, and transfers the bonding force while maintaining precision, thus mediating between the simplicity of adhesive fixation and the stability required for precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively suppresses positional displacement of the lens and sensor units, ensuring optimal focus and magnification, and thus maintaining image quality during the adhesive curing process.

Implementation Method 1

the positioning member is fixed to the first retaining member and the second retaining member by an adhesive filled in the first concave portion and the second concave portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8451551B2Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus provided therewith

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

This image reading apparatus, includes: a first retaining member that retains a lens unit; a second retaining member that retains a sensor unit; and a positioning member that sets a relative position between the first retaining member and the second retaining member, wherein the positioning member comprises: a first concave portion that is sagged from a first contact surface to be in contact with the first retaining member; and a second concave portion that is sagged from a second contact surface to be in contact with the second retaining member, and the positioning member is fixed to the first retaining member and the second retaining member by an adhesive filled in the first concave portion and the second concave portion.