Resin Guide Segmentation for Image Reader Creep Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image reader using a resin guiderail experiences creep deformation due to reaction forces, leading to reduced accuracy in positioning the image sensor and lower image reading quality, as the resin guiderail has lower stiffness compared to metal guiderails and is prone to deformation over time.
Innovation Solution
The image reader incorporates a base with first and second guides on the bottom wall and corresponding guides on the holder, allowing the reading unit to move while being guided by these features, which are designed to maintain contact and distribute reaction forces effectively, preventing creep deformation and ensuring accurate positioning of the image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resin guiderail is used instead of a metal guiderail, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the stiffness is lower and creep deformation occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The single resin guiderail is divided into multiple resin guides (first guide and second guide) disposed at different locations on the bottom wall. This segmentation distributes the reaction forces from the urging unit across multiple contact points, reducing the creep deformation at each individual contact point while maintaining the cost advantage of using resin materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin guides are strategically positioned at specific locations on the bottom wall where reaction forces are applied. By concentrating the guiding function at these localized points rather than using a continuous metal rail, the design maintains high stiffness where needed while using cheaper resin material elsewhere.
2Reliability
If the resin guiderail is subjected to reaction force for a long period, then creep deformation occurs, but positioning accuracy is maintained initially
Solution Approach 1:
The single long-term load-bearing guiderail is segmented into multiple shorter resin guides. This segmentation reduces the cumulative creep effect over service life, as each individual resin guide experiences lower and more distributed reaction forces, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy throughout the product's operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin guides are pre-positioned and pre-loaded to establish initial contact with the holder's guide portions before operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the image sensor is correctly positioned from the start, and the distributed contact points continue to maintain this positioning throughout the service life by preventing progressive creep deformation.
3Device complexity
If a single central guiderail is used, then the structure is simple, but the reaction force concentration causes deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The single central guiderail structure is segmented into multiple resin guides disposed at different locations on the bottom wall. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity while distributing the reaction forces from the urging unit across multiple contact points, thereby preventing concentration-deformation and improving overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple resin guides are combined to work together as a distributed guiding system. By merging the functions of multiple guides, the system achieves both simplicity (as a unified resin-based structure) and stability (through distributed force distribution), resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reader is provided, which includes a housing including a base, and a reading unit including a holder, the base including a bottom wall, a first guide disposed at a first-side portion of the bottom wall in a first direction, and a second guide disposed at a second-side portion of the bottom wall in the first direction, and the reading unit further including a third guide disposed at a first-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the third guide configured to come into sliding contact with the first guide when the reading unit moves, and a fourth guide disposed at a second-side portion of the holder in the first direction, the fourth guide configured to come into sliding contact with the second guide when the reading unit moves.