Image Scanner with Inclined Reading Face and Standby Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image scanners face challenges in efficiently reading images from both stationary and moving documents due to the complexity of handling inclined reading surfaces and the need for precise position detection, leading to increased size and noise during operation.
Innovation Solution
The image scanner incorporates a stationary-document reading section and a moving-document reading section with an inclined reading face, a reciprocally movable reader, and multiple position detectors, including a home position detector and a designated position detector, to facilitate efficient image reading and reduce noise and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reader moves at high speed to improve reading efficiency, then productivity increases, but abrasion of the reading element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reader is moved to a standby position (home position) in advance before the document arrives at the reading position. This preliminary positioning allows the reader to be ready for high-speed reading when the document is present, while minimizing movement during the actual reading process, thereby reducing abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement of the reader is segmented into distinct phases: high-speed movement to the standby position, low-speed approach to the reading position, reading phase, and return movement. This segmentation allows optimization of speed for different purposes - high speed for positioning, low speed for reading - thereby improving productivity while reducing abrasion during the critical reading phase.
2Reliability
If the reader is always positioned at the reading position to ensure readiness, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to unnecessary movement
Solution Approach 1:
The reader is moved to a predetermined standby position in advance, close to the reading position but not occupying it unnecessarily. This preliminary positioning ensures the reader is ready for quick response when a document is placed, maintaining reliability while avoiding continuous positioning at the reading location.
Solution Approach 2:
The reader's position is dynamically adjusted based on operational needs - positioned at the standby position when idle for quick response, moved to the reading position only when a document is present for reading. This dynamic positioning maintains reliability while minimizing unnecessary movement and time loss.
3Measurement precision
If the reading element contacts the inclined reading face continuously to ensure accurate reading, then measurement precision improves, but abrasion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reader is positioned at a standby location in advance where it can be held ready without continuous contact with the inclined reading face. When reading is required, the reader moves to make contact with the reading face, ensuring accurate reading only when necessary, thereby reducing abrasion while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reading element contacts the inclined reading face periodically only when a document is present and reading is required, rather than maintaining continuous contact. This periodic contact ensures measurement precision is achieved when needed while significantly reducing cumulative abrasion of the reading element.
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanner, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a stationary-document reading section, a moving-document reading section disposed at an angle to the stationary-document reading section, a reader movable between the stationary-document reading section and the moving-document reading section, and a reading element movable to different angles while contacting the stationary-document reading section and the moving-document reading section to selectively read a document placed on the stationary-document reading section and a document moving over the moving-document reading section. The image scanner further includes any one of position detector, a combination of a moving device and at least one position sensor, and a combination of at least one pressing member, a framework, and an angle changer.