Scanner Body Center of Gravity Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet-fed scanners face instability issues due to the center of gravity being away from the rotation axis, requiring larger and costly mechanisms to maintain position, which can lead to instability and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus is designed to rotate the apparatus body to positions where the center of gravity is vertically above the rotation shaft axis, closer to the front or rear in the depth direction, ensuring the weight acts to maintain the position, eliminating the need for a larger holding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the center of gravity is positioned away from the rotation axis to enable position switching, then the apparatus body can be rotated between positions, but the apparatus becomes unstable and requires a larger holding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the center of gravity at specific locations (front side in first position, rear side in second position) to create balancing moments that stabilize the apparatus body during rotation. This allows the apparatus to switch positions while maintaining stability, eliminating the need for overly complex holding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the center of gravity position to change dynamically as the apparatus body rotates between different positions. The center of gravity is positioned at the front when the apparatus is in the first position and at the rear when in the second position, enabling adaptive stabilization for each operational state.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a larger holding mechanism is used to maintain apparatus body position, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the apparatus body itself to provide stability through its own center of gravity positioning. The apparatus uses its inherent weight distribution and rotation mechanics to maintain position stability without requiring external complex holding mechanisms, effectively making the system self-stabilizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements equipotentiality by positioning the center of gravity at specific locations that create balanced gravitational moments during rotation. This allows the apparatus body to remain stable in different positions without requiring additional mechanical support, as the gravitational force itself provides the stabilizing effect.
3Device complexity
If the center of gravity is positioned closer to the rotation axis, then the holding mechanism size can be reduced, but the apparatus body becomes harder to rotate between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses counterweight positioning by placing the center of gravity at the front or rear of the apparatus body depending on the position, creating gravitational moments that assist the rotation process. This allows for a compact holding mechanism while maintaining ease of operation through the natural rotational momentum generated by the counterbalanced weight distribution.
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 stabilizes the apparatus body in both positions, reducing the requirement for a larger holding section and associated costs, while maintaining stability and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a position of the center of gravity of the apparatus body is located at a position vertically above a shaft axis of the rotation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a body support section, an apparatus body supported by the body support section, and a reading section configured to read a document. The apparatus body is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft with respect to the body support section and the apparatus body is rotated to be switched to a first position or a second position, a position of the center of gravity of the apparatus body is located at a position vertically above a shaft axis of the rotation shaft and closer than the shaft axis to an apparatus front in an apparatus depth direction when the apparatus body is in the first position, and is located at a position vertically above the shaft axis of the rotation shaft and closer than the shaft axis to an apparatus rear in the depth direction when the apparatus body is in the second position.