Flexible Pressing Sheet Guide Mechanism for Compact ADF Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses with automatic document feeders (ADFs) face a challenge in opening the conveyance path without increasing the width size of the apparatus, as the pressure plate's sliding mechanism requires additional space, leading to size expansion.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus incorporates a flexible pressing sheet with one end attached to a rotatable open portion and the other end to rotatable rotation members, allowing the conveyance path to be opened without increasing the apparatus' width, utilizing a hinge mechanism and a guide member that slides on a rail to absorb movement, thus maintaining the apparatus' size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure plate is made slidable on the guide plate to suppress forcible bending, then the reliability of the pressure plate is improved, but the width size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a width-direction sliding mechanism to a height-direction folding mechanism. The guide plate is folded back in the height direction to form a folded guide plate, allowing the pressure plate to slide along the folded guide plate in the height direction rather than requiring width direction space. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through sliding while avoiding apparatus width increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded guide plate is nested within the apparatus structure, with the guide plate folding back to create a compact configuration. The pressure plate slides along this nested folded guide plate, effectively utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space. This nesting approach allows the sliding mechanism to be incorporated without increasing the apparatus footprint in the width direction.
2Ease of operation
If space is provided in the guide plate for pressure plate sliding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is designed as a dynamic component that can fold between a flat state (for normal operation) and a folded state (for maintenance access). This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve dual purposes: maintaining a simple appearance during normal operation while providing complex functionality during maintenance. The folding mechanism enables easy conveyance path opening without requiring a permanently complex guide plate structure.
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 configuration enables the opening of the conveyance path while preventing an increase in the apparatus' width, enhancing document handling and maintenance accessibility without enlarging the device.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing sheet (22) having flexibility and configured to press the document against the document platen
Implementation Method 2
an open portion (23) provided in the base member (24), in which the open portion (23) is rotatable in a first direction with respect to the base member (24) to open at least a part of the conveyance path
Implementation Method 3
a guide member (26) that is attached to the pressing sheet (22) and is slidable on a rail member (27)
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a document platen on which a document is to be stacked, a pressing sheet having flexibility, a conveyance unit provided in a base member, an open portion provided in the base member and rotatable in a first direction with respect to the base member to open at least a part of the conveyance path, and a rotation member rotatable in the first direction with respect to the base member. The pressing sheet presses the document against the document platen. The conveyance unit forms a conveyance path within which the document is to be conveyed. The reading unit reads the document conveyed by the conveyance unit. The open portion retains one end of the pressing sheet in a longitudinal direction. The rotation member retains the other end of the pressing sheet in the longitudinal direction.