Cover Member Dynamics for Scanner Foreign Matter Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reading apparatuses fail to effectively prevent foreign matter intrusion through the document feeding port due to a fixed cover member that is insufficient in keeping the port closed.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus with a cover member that can be displaced between open and closed positions using a drive source, controlled by a position detection mechanism and a control part, ensuring the cover member is closed when the reading apparatus is not in use for a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover member is fixed to cover the document feeding port, then foreign matter intrusion is suppressed, but the document cannot be supplied to the reading part
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one that can dynamically switch between open and closed positions. The drive source enables the cover member to automatically displace between these positions based on reading status, resolving the contradiction between preventing foreign matter intrusion and allowing document supply.
2Ease of operation
If the cover member is made movable to allow document supply, then document feeding is enabled, but foreign matter can intrude into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The position detection mechanism continuously monitors the cover member's position and provides feedback to the control part. Based on this feedback and the reading status, the control part automatically controls the drive source to position the cover member appropriately - closed during reading to prevent foreign matter intrusion, and open when reading is complete to allow document feeding.
3Ease of operation
If the cover member remains open for document feeding, then document supply is facilitated, but the reading part is exposed to foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The control part automatically positions the cover member to the closed position in advance when reading is complete or interrupted, preventing foreign matter intrusion before it can affect the reading process. This preliminary protective action ensures reading reliability while maintaining ease of document supply during active reading operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A reading apparatus includes a reading part that reads information of a document, a housing that accommodates the reading part, a document feeding port through which the document is fed, a cover member disposed on the housing to be displaced to an open position at which the document feeding port is open and a closed position at which the document feeding port is closed, a drive source that displaces the cover member to the open position and the closed position, a position detection mechanism that detects a position of the cover member, and a control part, wherein the control part is configured to displace the cover member to the closed position by the drive source when a time during which reading by the reading part is not performed exceeds a predetermined time, and the position detection mechanism detects that the cover member is at the open position.