Scanner Cover Driven by Shared Conveyance Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image scanning devices with automatic document feeders require additional components and space for driving sources and wire harnesses, increasing manufacturing costs and device size due to the need for separate driving mechanisms for movable members at discharge portions.
Innovation Solution
An image scanning device design that eliminates the need for a dedicated driving source for the movable member by using a shared driving unit to pivot the cover member between positions, allowing documents to be conveyed through or to the discharge portion, thereby reducing the number of parts and assembly time, and minimizing extra space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated driving source is provided for the movable member at the discharge portion, then the movable member can be driven to move between two positions, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional parts and assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving function for the movable member with the existing conveying unit's driving source. The single driving source sequentially performs both document conveyance and movable member positioning functions, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated driving source and reducing part count and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying unit's driving source is designed to serve multiple functions: it both conveys documents along the conveying path and positions the movable member between two positions. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of driving sources needed in the system
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated driving source is provided for the movable member, then the movable member can be driven independently, but the device size increases due to extra space required for the driving source and wire harness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control system for the movable member with the existing conveying unit control. The single driving source is controlled to perform both conveyance and positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate wire harnesses and control circuits for a dedicated driving source, thus reducing device size
3Ease of operation
If multiple driving sources are provided, then each component can be driven independently, but electrical noise increases and additional cost is required to prevent it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of driving sources to a single unit that controls both document conveyance and movable member positioning. This reduction in the number of driving sources and wire harnesses directly decreases electrical noise generation and the associated costs for noise prevention
4Reliability
If the number of parts is increased for dedicated driving, then the driving control is more precise, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single driving source that is controlled to perform multiple functions with sufficient precision. The control system manages the sequencing of conveyance and positioning operations, achieving reliable control without the need for multiple separately assembled driving sources, thus reducing assembly time
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanning device includes a scanning unit configured to scan, at a scanning position, an image of a document, a first discharge portion, a second discharge portion, a conveying unit configured to selectively convey the document along a first conveying path from the scanning position to the first discharge portion, and along a second conveying path from the scanning position to the second discharge portion, a driving unit configured to generate a driving force for driving the conveying unit, and a cover member configured to receive the driving force generated by the driving unit such that the cover member moves between a closed position for covering the second discharge portion and an open position for exposing the second discharge portion.