Rotating Body Projections Prevent Ink Contact in Image Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing image reading apparatuses, undried ink on a sheet may come into contact with the base plate, causing the ink to spread and disturb the image.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus includes a housing with a conveying path, a recording head, transport roller pairs, a reading unit, a sheet support portion, a glass plate, and a rotating body with projections that prevent undried liquid on the sheet from contacting the reading unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glass plate is used to seal the opening of the casing, then the structure is protected and light transmission is maintained, but undried ink on the sheet may contact the glass plate and spread
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating body with projections is introduced as an intermediary element between the sheet and the glass plate. The projections contact the sheet first, pushing it away from the glass plate surface, thereby preventing direct contact between the undried ink and the glass plate while maintaining the protective sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body with radially projecting projections creates a dimensional barrier by extending into the space between the sheet and glass plate. This adds a vertical dimension element that physically separates the sheet from the glass plate surface, preventing ink contact.
2Volume of moving object
If the glass plate is positioned close to the sheet for compact design, then device size is reduced, but undried ink contacts the glass plate causing image disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body acts as a mediator that enables close positioning of the glass plate to the sheet while preventing harmful contact. The projections on the rotating body create a controlled interaction zone that maintains compact dimensions while ensuring image quality by preventing ink contact with the glass plate.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a base plate is placed between the glass plate and the sheet, then the glass plate is kept away from the sheet preventing ink contact, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body provides a dynamic solution instead of a static base plate. The rotating body with projections creates a flexible, movable barrier that adapts to the sheet's position while maintaining ink contact prevention. This dynamic approach reduces structural complexity compared to a fixed base plate configuration.
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 ensures that undried liquid on the sheet does not contact the reading unit, thereby minimizing the disturbance to the recorded image.
Implementation Method 1
The reading unit has a light source for irradiating the support portion with light through the glass plate, and a light receiver for receiving light through the glass plate
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a housing having a conveying path, a recording head, a first transport roller pair located downstream of the recording head, a second transport roller pair located downstream of the first conveying roller pair, a reading unit located between the first transport roller pair and the second transport roller pair, a sheet support portion facing the reading unit, a glass plate located between the reading unit and the sheet support portion, and a rotating body located at a first position or a second position. The rotating body has a plurality of projections projecting radially outwardly. A distal end of one of the plurality of projections is positioned closer to the sheet support portion than the glass plate.