Image Scanner Posture Adjustment via External Cam Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The posture distortion of the housing in image forming apparatuses due to variations in the housing support portion leads to deteriorated image quality, and existing adjustment mechanisms require opening the housing, risking dust contamination and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A posture adjustment mechanism with an operation portion outside the housing, utilizing gears and cam surfaces to adjust the CCD's posture without opening the housing, ensuring dust protection and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing is opened to adjust the posture of the photoelectric conversion portion, then the posture adjustment is possible, but dust contamination occurs and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (gear and cam surface system) that transmits the adjustment operation from the exterior to the interior components without requiring direct access to the photoelectric conversion portion. The operation portion on the exterior drives a gear that engages with a cam surface, which in turn adjusts the posture of the photoelectric conversion portion through the housing wall, eliminating the need to open the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism into two distinct parts: an operation portion located on the exterior of the housing for user interaction, and the actual posture adjustment mechanism located inside the housing. This segmentation allows the user to operate the device without opening the housing, thus preventing dust contamination while maintaining adjustment capability.
2Ease of operation
If the housing is opened to adjust the posture of the photoelectric conversion portion, then the posture adjustment is possible, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the gear mechanism and cam surface are integrated within the existing housing space. The operation portion is positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, and the internal adjustment mechanism is nested within the housing cavity, utilizing existing spatial relationships rather than adding external adjustment structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing support portion shape varies, then the housing posture becomes distorted, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static housing structure into a dynamically adjustable system. The photoelectric conversion portion is made movable relative to the housing through the cam surface mechanism, allowing real-time posture adjustment to compensate for variations in the housing support portion shape. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to manufacturing variations while maintaining image quality.
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 solution effectively suppresses image quality deterioration without opening the housing, maintaining compactness and preventing dust entry, while allowing precise posture adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a cam surface 44A formed on a lower side surface of the disk-shaped portion 42 orthogonal to the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a housing, a housing support portion, and a posture adjustment portion. The photoelectric conversion portion receives light reflected by a document sheet placed on a document sheet mounting surface and outputs an electric signal based on the light. The housing has a box shape with an open top and forms a housing space for housing the photoelectric conversion portion on a lower side of the document sheet mounting surface. The housing support portion supports a bottom portion of the housing. The posture adjustment portion includes an operation portion provided outside the housing, and adjusts a posture of the photoelectric conversion portion in accordance with an operation on the operation portion.