Rotatable Ejection Guide for Jam Clearance in Image Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses face challenges in facilitating jam clearance when paper jams occur, as the medium can become lodged between the upper unit and the guide, and there is a desire to prevent the apparatus from becoming large.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus features a paper ejection guide that rotates coaxially with the upper unit, having a wider rotation range than the upper unit, ensuring clearance between the guide and the upper unit during jam clearance and allowing for downsizing of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper unit is rotated relative to the lower unit for jam clearance, then the paper jam can be cleared, but the medium may become lodged between the upper unit and the guide
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is made rotatable relative to the upper unit, allowing the guide to dynamically adjust its position. During normal operation, the guide maintains a closed position close to the upper unit. During jam clearance, the guide rotates to an open position that is farther from the upper unit, preventing medium lodging while allowing the upper unit to rotate for jam clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide is divided into multiple sections: a guide body, a guide rotating section, and a guide ejection section. The guide rotating section acts as an independent segment that can rotate relative to the upper unit, allowing differential movement between the guide and upper unit during jam clearance operations.
2Volume of moving object
If the guide and upper unit are positioned close to each other, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the medium may be lodged between them during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide and upper unit maintain a dynamic relationship through the rotatable guide. During normal operation, the guide rotates to a closed position close to the upper unit, minimizing apparatus size. During medium conveyance, the guide maintains this close position to prevent lodging, while the rotatable design allows quick adjustment when needed.
3Reliability
If the guide rotation range is wider than the upper unit rotation range, then medium lodging is prevented during jam clearance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rotating section serves multiple functions: it enables the guide to rotate independently with a wider range than the upper unit, provides structural support for the guide ejection section, and maintains the guide in proper position during both normal operation and jam clearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a lower unit, an upper unit arranged above the lower unit and a guide arranged on an opposite side to the lower unit with respect to the upper unit. The guide relatively rotates with respect to the upper unit in a direction away from the upper unit so as to form an ejection path, between the upper unit and the guide, of a sheet-like medium conveyed between the upper unit and the lower unit. The upper unit and the guide are close to each other respectively, at positions closest to the lower unit in respective rotation ranges of relative rotation with respect to the lower unit. The rotation range of the guide is wider than that of the upper unit, in a rotation direction away from the lower unit from the positions close to each other.