Reading Unit End Rib Support for Scanner Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the stability and position of the reading unit during assembly, as the support shaft is positioned off-center, causing the near-side end portion to potentially move downward and making the assembly process inefficient and difficult.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an end rib unit that supports the near-side end portion from above, preventing it from contacting the bottom and facilitating easy removal of the reading unit from the support shaft, along with a moving mechanism that allows the reading unit to move in a crossing direction for efficient image reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support shaft is positioned off-center to enable reading unit movement, then the reading unit can be moved in the crossing direction, but the near-side end portion moves downward causing assembly difficulty and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The end support is positioned to preemptively counteract the downward movement tendency of the near-side end portion before assembly is completed. By placing the support at a location that provides preliminary opposition to the gravitational and mechanical forces causing downward movement, the reading unit maintains stability throughout the assembly process without requiring additional corrective measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The end support acts as an intermediary element between the reading unit and the housing bottom. Rather than allowing the reading unit to directly contact the housing bottom or remain unstable, the end support mediates the interaction by providing a controlled support point that enables both movement capability and stability maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support shaft is positioned off-center, then the reading unit can move for image reading, but assembly becomes inefficient and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The end support is pre-positioned in the housing before the reading unit is fully assembled. This preliminary action ensures that when the reading unit is installed on the off-center support shaft, the near-side end portion is immediately supported, preventing assembly difficulties and improving manufacturing efficiency without compromising the reading functionality.
3Device complexity
If the reading unit is supported only by the support shaft, then the structure is simple, but the near-side end portion cannot be prevented from moving downward
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire support structure more complex, the end support provides localized quality enhancement by specifically addressing the near-side end portion's downward movement issue. This targeted approach maintains overall structural simplicity while improving reliability at the critical location where stability is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that is arranged so as to extend in one direction and that moves in a crossing direction, which crosses the one direction, to read an image of a document; a unit support that is arranged so as to extend in the crossing direction and that supports the reading unit that moves; and an end support that supports an end portion of the reading unit in a longitudinal direction, the reading unit trying to rotate around the unit support such that the end portion moves downward.