Scanner Lamp Cooling Baffle for Even Heat Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image scanning apparatuses face challenges in achieving even cooling of lamps and critical components while preventing contamination from fans, which can lead to image defects due to uneven airflow and introduction of external contaminants.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable baffle member is introduced to control the airflow generated by a single fan, redirecting it downward to evenly cool the image capture unit and carry contaminants away from sensitive optical components, ensuring effective cooling and contamination prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fan is used to cool the lamp, then the lamp is cooled effectively, but the cooling is uneven across the lamp surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into multiple zones by positioning fans at different locations (front and rear of the lamp) and using adjustable baffles to create separate airflow paths. This segmentation allows each fan to target specific areas of the lamp, achieving uniform temperature distribution across the entire lamp surface while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If a fan is used to cool the lamp, then heat is carried away from critical components, but contaminants are introduced into the scanner chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect (contaminant introduction) by positioning the fan to blow air toward the rear opening of the scanner chamber rather than toward the optical components. The adjustable baffle directs the airflow so that contaminants are carried away from the critical components and exited through the rear opening, separating the cooling function from the contamination problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable baffle acts as an intermediary element that controls and redirects the airflow generated by the fan. It mediates between the fan's cooling function and the potential harm of contaminant introduction by precisely directing airflow paths, allowing heat removal while preventing contaminants from reaching optical components.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional fans are used to achieve even cooling, then temperature distribution improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable baffle that can be positioned at different angles to dynamically control airflow distribution. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single fan to achieve even temperature distribution across the lamp by optimizing airflow patterns, eliminating the need for multiple fixed fans and reducing production costs while maintaining cooling uniformity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides even cooling of the lamp and critical components while effectively directing contaminants out of the scanner, enhancing image quality by maintaining optimal temperature distribution and reducing contamination-related defects.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit such as a fan to direct airflow across the lamp thereby effectively cooling the lamp and carrying the heat away from the critical components
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable baffle member moveably mounted to the frame of the image scanning apparatus which controls the path of the airflow relative to the lamp
Data Source
AI summary
Method and image scanning apparatus comprising an image capture unit having an illumination assembly for generating input light; a printed circuit board mounted to the image capture unit, a cooling unit generating an airflow which cools the illumination assembly of the image capture unit as well as the critical components mounted on the printed circuit board and the optical components of the image capture unit; and an adjustable baffle member moveably mounted to the frame of the image scanning apparatus for controlling the path of the airflow relative to the lamp. The cooling unit comprises at least one fan with the fan generating airflow for cooling the lamp of image capture unit. The baffle member is adjustable to control the airflow generated by the fan such that the airflow generated by the fan is redirected downward and passes the airflow under the image capture unit, thereby effectively and evenly cooling the lamp and redirecting contaminants to the end of the image scanning apparatus enclosure opposite the image capture unit.