Rotating Document Support for Jam Access in Image Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the appropriate posture of document support portions during feeding, which affects jam processing properties and the overall efficiency of document handling.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus incorporates a document support portion capable of rotational movement, switching between feeding and open postures to maintain an appropriate angle and widen the bottom portion space, along with a cover portion and curved transport path forming member that open and close to enhance jam processing and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the document support portion is made fixed to maintain a precise inclination angle, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to access jammed documents
Solution Approach 1:
The document support portion is designed to rotate between a first posture (for feeding) and a second posture (for jam processing). This dynamic configuration allows the support portion to transition from a fixed inclined position during feeding to a rotated open position during jam processing, enabling users to easily access and remove jammed documents while maintaining precise inclination angle during normal operation through the rotational mechanism's designed stop positions
2Ease of operation
If the document support portion is rotated upward to widen bottom portion space, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability deteriorates during document feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses defined rotational postures with stop mechanisms. During feeding, the document support portion is maintained in a stable first posture where the inclination angle is precisely controlled. When jam processing is needed, the support portion rotates to a second posture that widens the bottom portion space. The rotational mechanism includes stop positions that ensure stable, repeatable orientations in both feeding and jam processing modes, preventing unintended movement
3Shape
If the cover portion is made transparent, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential document visibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is configured to be transparent or translucent in specific regions where aesthetic appeal is desired, while maintaining appropriate opacity in regions where document visibility needs to be prevented. This local differentiation of transparency allows the cover to provide both aesthetic benefits and functional reliability by controlling what is visible through different portions of the cover
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a document support portion, a cover portion which is capable of opening and closing, a first surface of which forms an apparatus top surface, and a second surface of which forms a support surface which supports the document, and a base frame which forms the apparatus top surface, in which the document support portion is provided to be capable of rotational movement and is capable of switching between a first posture and a second posture, in which the first surface of the cover portion forms the apparatus top surface which runs along a horizontal direction together with a top surface of the base frame in the closed state, and in which, in the first posture, a portion of the document support portion is at a height position running along the second surface of the cover portion in the closed state.