Scanner Unit Height Adjustment for Image Quality Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The image forming apparatus faces challenges in maintaining image quality due to potential bending of the scanner unit's corner portion, which can occur when different weights of document feeding devices are mounted, leading to distortion and deterioration of image reading quality.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a dual adjustment mechanism, comprising a screw member for stepless adjustment and a spacer unit with varying spacer portions, to adjust the height of the scanner unit's corner portion, ensuring it remains horizontal and minimizing distortion without requiring adjustments to the mirror or registration roller angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different weights of document feeding devices are mounted on the scanner unit, then the scanner unit's corner portion bends, but image reading quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different document feeding devicesVSAvoidimage reading quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The scanner unit's corner portion is made adjustable in height through a height adjustment mechanism, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to different document feeding device weights while maintaining proper horizontal alignment and preventing image quality deterioration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The height parameter of the scanner unit's corner portion is made variable through the height adjustment mechanism, enabling the system to compensate for weight variations and maintain optimal reading quality across different document feeding device configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the scanner unit's corner portion is made adjustable to maintain horizontality, then image quality is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reading qualityVSAvoidscanner unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is implemented as a separate, modular component that can be independently adjusted, allowing the main scanner unit structure to remain simple while adding adjustment capability through a dedicated subsystem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The height adjustment mechanism is pre-configured with adjustment capabilities, allowing the scanner unit to be quickly adapted to different document feeding devices without requiring complex real-time adjustments or modifications to the main structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11330125B2Image forming apparatus with an adjustable scanner

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit, an image forming unit, a frame, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The scanner unit has an image reading section. The image forming unit forms an image read by the scanner unit on a sheet. The frame includes a first support section and a second support section. The first support section supports the image forming unit. The second support section is positioned below the scanner unit. The first adjustment mechanism steplessly adjusts a distance in an up-down direction between the scanner unit and the second support section. The second adjustment mechanism gradually adjusts the distance in the up-down direction between the scanner unit and the second support section.