Scanner Mounting Table Reduces Hand Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face inefficiencies in user operation due to prolonged hand motion and space requirements when handling large document stacks, as the user needs to manually place and retrieve documents from behind the device, which decreases work efficiency and requires additional space.
Innovation Solution
The image reading apparatus features a mounting table with a high-friction surface on its upper side, allowing documents to be easily mounted and retrieved along a short motion line, and includes a touch panel for user input and display, with adjustable trays and a posture sensor to optimize document handling and reduce the need for additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the document stack is placed behind the image reading apparatus, then the device structure is simplified, but the user's hand motion line is prolonged and work efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting table is positioned on the upper side of the main body, utilizing the vertical dimension and top surface space of the device. This allows documents to be placed on top of the scanner rather than behind it, creating a new spatial arrangement that shortens the user's hand motion while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If the document stack is placed behind the image reading apparatus, then space utilization is improved, but additional space behind the device is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting table utilizes the upper surface of the main body, transforming the vertical/top space into a functional mounting area. This eliminates the need for additional horizontal space behind the device, as documents are now placed on the top surface rather than requiring rear clearance.
3Productivity
If the mounting table is provided on the upper side of the main body, then the user's hand motion is shortened and work efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting table on the upper side serves multiple functions: it acts as both the top surface of the scanner and a dedicated mounting surface for documents. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to serve dual purposes, adding document mounting capability without requiring separate dedicated components or significantly increasing device complexity.
4Length of stationary object
If the mounting table is provided on the upper side of the main body, then additional space behind the device is eliminated, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The upper side of the main body is designed to serve as both the structural housing and the document mounting surface. By making the mounting table an integrated part of the main body structure rather than a separate additive component, the patent eliminates the need for rear space while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
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
This configuration enhances user-friendliness by reducing the motion required for document handling, eliminating the need for additional space behind the device and improving work efficiency by allowing seamless document feeding and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting table is provided on an upper side of the main body and includes an upper surface, the mounting table being located at an outer face of the main body, the upper surface serves as a mounting surface on which the source document to be fed or the source document that has been read is mounted
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a main body, a touch panel, a document transport path, a feed tray, a feed roller, a separation unit, a reader, a discharge roller, a discharge tray, and a mounting table. The mounting table is provided on an upper side of the main body and includes an upper surface. The mounting table is located at an outer face of the main body, the upper surface serves as a mounting surface on which the source document to be fed or the source document that has been read is mounted. The mounting surface is located at a position higher than an upstream end of the feed tray when the source document is mounted on the mounting surface.