Foldable Scanner Output Tray With Auto-Deploy Support Stand
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners with foldable output trays face stability issues due to shifting center of gravity when documents are piled up, necessitating a supporting stand to prevent tilting.
Innovation Solution
A scanner with a foldable stand that includes a housing, a first and second output tray, a supporting stand, and an abutting element, where the trays are pivotally connected and the stand is fastened in a holding groove, allowing automatic unfolding and stable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the output tray is made foldable to reduce scanner size and improve portability, then the scanner becomes more portable and easier to carry, but the scanner becomes unstable and prone to tilting when documents pile up in the output tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the supporting stand movable rather than fixed. The stand can automatically transition between folded and extended states based on the output tray position. When the output tray is extended, the supporting stand automatically extends to provide stability; when the output tray is retracted, the supporting stand folds back to maintain portability. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between portability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting stand is designed to nest within the scanner housing when not in use. The stand folds back into a compact position that fits within the scanner's internal space, allowing the scanner to maintain its portable form factor while having the stability support available when needed. This nesting approach enables the scanner to achieve both small size and stability support functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a supporting stand is added to prevent tilting when documents pile up, then scanner stability is improved, but the scanner size increases and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting stand is designed as a dynamic, movable structure rather than a permanent fixed component. It can extend to provide stability when needed and retract to minimize space occupation. The stand's ability to change its configuration based on operational requirements allows the scanner to maintain stability functionality without permanently increasing its volume, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting stand is divided into multiple segmented sections that can fold relative to each other. This segmentation allows the stand to extend to full length when stability is needed, yet fold into a compact nested configuration when not in use. The segmented design enables the stand to provide full stability support while occupying minimal space during storage, resolving the size-stability contradiction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting stand is made fixed to ensure stability, then scanner stability is improved, but the scanner cannot be folded to a compact size for carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting stand's folding mechanism is merged with the output tray's folding mechanism. Both components share common pivot points, connecting links, and control systems. When the output tray is extended, the supporting stand automatically extends through the shared mechanism; when the output tray is retracted, the supporting stand automatically folds back. This merging approach provides stability support functionality without adding separate complex folding mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and mechanism 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
The scanner maintains portability and compactness while ensuring stable operation by automatically unfolding the output tray and providing support, preventing tilting and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
The abutting element contacts with an inner portion of the supporting stand. When the first output tray is covered to the upper portion of the rear of the housing, and the second output tray is covered to the top of the housing, the supporting stand is fastened in the holding groove. When the first output tray and the second output tray are fully unfolded, the movable end of the supporting stand projects out of the holding groove.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner with a foldable stand includes a housing, a first output tray foldably covered to an upper portion of a rear of the housing, a second output tray foldably covered to a top of the housing, a supporting stand and an abutting element. Two ends of the first output tray have a starting end, and a swingable connecting end connected to the starting end. An outer surface of the first output tray is recessed inward to form a holding groove. Two ends of the second output tray have a pivot end pivotally connected to the connecting end, and a swingable terminal end connected with a free end of the pivot end. The supporting stand is foldably fastened in the holding groove. The abutting element is formed at a middle of the connecting end. The abutting element contacts with an inner portion of the supporting stand.