Optical Scanner Rail Scraper and Collection Case Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The optical characteristics of optical scanning devices are deteriorated due to dirt and dust accumulation on the transparent covers, leading to image failures, despite the presence of cleaning mechanisms, which are not entirely effective in preventing foreign matter ingress and collection.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device incorporates a housing with a transparent cover, a screw shaft, a holding member with a nut part and arm parts, and scraper members to guide and collect foreign matters, ensuring the transparent cover is cleaned and foreign particles are effectively removed from the movement path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning mechanism is provided to clean the transparent cover, then the optical characteristics are improved, but foreign matters may still ingress into the movement path and cause image failures
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: cleaning members for cleaning the transparent cover, scraper members for scraping foreign matters from the rail part, and collection cases for collecting the scraped foreign matters. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of foreign matter removal, preventing ingress into the movement path while maintaining optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper members act as intermediary elements between the cleaning mechanism and the rail part. They scrape off foreign matters from the rail part before the holding member moves along it, preventing direct contact between foreign matters and the movement path. The collection cases then collect these scraped foreign matters, completing the intermediary removal process.
2Productivity
If the holding member moves along the screw shaft to clean the transparent cover, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but foreign matters on the rail part may scatter and cause image failures
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper members perform preliminary action by scraping off foreign matters from the rail part before the holding member moves along it. This preliminary removal prevents foreign matters from scattering during the cleaning operation, allowing the holding member to move freely while maintaining a clean environment in the movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection cases convert the potentially harmful scattered foreign matters into collected and contained debris. By providing collection cases at positions corresponding to the scraper members, the system transforms the harmful scattering effect into a beneficial collection process, where foreign matters are gathered in designated areas rather than scattering and causing image failures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If scraper members are added to scrape foreign matters from the rail part, then foreign matter collection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper members are merged with the holding member structure, and the collection cases are integrated into the housing at positions corresponding to the scraper members. This merging approach allows the foreign matter removal function to be added without creating entirely separate systems, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still achieving effective foreign matter collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is given multi-functionality by integrating both the cleaning function (holding the cleaning member) and the foreign matter collection function (integrating the scraper members). The collection cases serve multiple purposes: collecting foreign matters from the scraper members and preventing foreign matter ingress into the movement path. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in 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 ensures the transparent cover is effectively cleaned, preventing image failures by ensuring the optical characteristics are maintained, and foreign matters are efficiently collected, reducing the risk of scattering and improving the reliability of the scanning device.
Implementation Method 1
The holding member has a nut part screwed with the screw shaft. The arm parts extend from the nut part to hold the cleaning member. The holding member reciprocally moves along a predetermined movement path by rotation of the screw shaft.
Data Source
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AI summary
From an upper surface of a housing (40) of an optical scanning device (4), a plate-like rail part (42c), which extends along a screw shaft (52) to guide movement of a holding member (53), protrudes, and the holding member (53) is provided with a guide part (53d) having a guide groove (53e) engaged with the rail part (42c). The optical scanning device (4) further includes scraper members (61) fixed to the holding member (53) and scraping off foreign matters attached to the rail part (42c). On side surfaces (42f, 42r) of the housing (40), which face a moving end side, collection cases (42e) are provided to collect the foreign matters scraped off by the scraper members (61).