Recording Apparatus Damper Placement for Compact Scanner Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges with large size and space requirements due to the need for dampers to prevent collision noise and damage when closing heavy scanner covers, which also complicates installation in low-height spaces.
Innovation Solution
A configuration that includes an opening/closing body and a damper attached to the apparatus main body through an attaching member positioned above the feed roller, allowing for reduced size and improved usability in low-height installations by optimizing the placement of the damper and pivot shaft to minimize the apparatus's depth and height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a damper is provided to damp the closing movement of the opening/closing body, then collision noise is reduced and the opening/closing body is protected from damage, but the size of the product increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the damper from a conventional location to the lateral side of the carriage, utilizing unused lateral space. This dimensional relocation allows the damper to be integrated into the side structure rather than occupying additional longitudinal or vertical space, thereby suppressing product size increase while maintaining the damping function to reduce collision noise and protect the opening/closing body
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is integrated with the carriage structure by being provided on the lateral side of the carriage, merging the damping function with the existing carriage assembly. This integration allows the damper to share structural space with the carriage, reducing the need for separate mounting space and thereby suppressing overall product size increase
2Ease of operation
If the opening/closing body is closed using its own weight, then the operation is simplified, but large impact generates collision noise and may break the opening/closing body
Solution Approach 1:
The damper acts as an intermediary element between the opening/closing body and the carriage. It provides controlled resistance to the closing movement, mediating the impact force. This allows the opening/closing body to be closed using its own weight while the damper gradually dissipates the kinetic energy, preventing large impact and collision noise while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is positioned to engage before the opening/closing body completes its closing movement, providing beforehand cushioning. This pre-cushioning mechanism gradually reduces the closing speed and absorbs impact energy before the body fully closes, preventing damage and collision noise while allowing the user to simply release the body for closing
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 reduces the size and space requirements of the recording apparatus while ensuring smooth operation and user-friendliness, allowing the opening/closing body to function without pulling the apparatus out of a low-height installation space and maintaining effective damping to prevent noise and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a damper that applies damping force to the opening/closing body when the opening/closing body is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus including a housing, an apparatus main body that constitutes an inside of the housing, the apparatus main body including a recording member that performs recording, a feed roller that feeds a medium, the medium being set at an inclined position, towards the recording member, an opening/closing body that opens/closes a portion above an area in which the recording member is disposed, and a damper that applies damping force to the opening/closing body when the opening/closing body is closed. The opening/closing body and the damper are attached to the apparatus main body through an attaching member disposed at an area above the feed roller.