Flatbed Scanner Cable Holding Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flatbed image reading apparatuses, the flexible flat cable connecting the image reading unit and the control board tends to hang down due to low tension, leading to potential disconnection and malfunction from sliding friction with the housing or other members.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus incorporates a cable holding portion on the image reading unit, where the distance between the holding position of the lower end of the cable and the side wall is longer than that of the upper end, creating a tension gradient that prevents hanging and maintains cable alignment, thereby suppressing contact with the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cable is fixed to the side wall of the housing, then the cable position is restricted, but the cable tension becomes small and the cable hangs down due to its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by positioning the cable holding portion at the end face of the image reading unit in the sub-scanning direction, rather than only fixing the cable at the side wall in the main scanning direction. This multi-dimensional cable support structure creates proper tension distribution and prevents the cable from hanging down due to gravity.
2Ease of operation
If the cable tension is small, then the cable is flexible and easy to route, but the cable bends and comes into contact with the housing bottom face or other members causing wear and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The cable holding portion acts as an intermediary component between the cable fixed point on the side wall and the cable connection point on the image reading unit. This intermediary structure provides proper cable routing guidance and maintains appropriate cable tension, preventing direct contact between the cable and the housing bottom face or other members, thereby reducing wear and disconnection risks.
3Device complexity
If the holding portion holds the cable with equal distance from the side wall for both upper and lower ends, then the cable alignment is simple, but the cable hangs down due to uneven tension distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the cable holding portion by positioning it such that the distance in the main scanning direction between the holding position of the lower end of the cable and the side wall is longer than that of the upper end. This asymmetric configuration creates proper tension distribution that counteracts the cable's own weight, preventing the cable from hanging down while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includesa housing;a transparent plate that is provided in an opening formed in an upper part of the housing and on which an original is placed;an image reading unit that is disposed inside the housing and that scans in a main scanning direction while moving in a sub-scanning direction to read an image of the original placed on the transparent plate;a flexible flat cable having one end that is connected to a control board on which an electronic component that is configured to process the image read by the image reading unit is mounted and the other end that is connected to the image reading unit, the flexible flat cable being configured to electrically connect the image reading unit and the control board, the flexible flat cable being disposed such that a width direction of the flexible flat cable crosses a surface of the transparent plate, the flexible flat cable being partially fixed to a side wall of the housing facing the image reading unit in the main scanning direction; anda holding portion configured to hold a part of the flexible flat cable, the holding portion holding the part between a part fixed to the side wall and the other end, of the flexible flat cable, the holding portion being formed on an end face of the image reading unit in the sub-scanning direction, whereinthe holding portion holds the flexible flat cable such that a distance in the main scanning direction between a position at which the holding portion holds a lower end of the flexible flat cable in the width direction and the side wall is longer than a distance in the main scanning direction between a position at which the holding portion holds an upper end of the flexible flat cable in the width direction and the side wall.