Scanner Unit Linkage Mechanism for Stable Open Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators may falsely recognize that a scanner unit in a recording apparatus is fully open when it is in an incomplete opening state, leading to potential maintenance issues due to the unit's weight causing it to close under small forces.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a support member that includes a first link portion and a second link portion, along with locking mechanisms to hold the scanner unit in an open state, preventing relative rotation until the unit is fully open, and a bias unit to facilitate opening with minimal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a support member with link portions is used to hold the scanner unit in an opening state, then the scanner unit can be maintained in a stable open position, but the structure becomes more complex and may create false recognition states
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into a first link portion and a second link portion that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the support member to provide stable support in the opening state while enabling a locking mechanism to prevent false recognition states by controlling the relative rotation between the link portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to stop the relative rotation of the link portions at specific angles before the scanner unit reaches the complete opening state. This preliminary action prevents the scanner unit from entering an incomplete opening state that could cause false recognition, while still maintaining the stability of the fully open position.
2Ease of operation
If the scanner unit is allowed to rotate freely to reduce operational complexity, then ease of operation improves, but the unit may close accidentally due to its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support member incorporates a locking mechanism that dynamically controls the relative rotation between the first and second link portions. The locking mechanism engages at specific rotation angles to maintain the scanner unit in a stable opening state, while allowing free rotation to and from the opening state, thus balancing ease of operation with position maintenance reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent false recognition states, then measurement precision of the opening state improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is implemented by dividing the support member into rotatable link portions with simple engagement features. This segmentation allows precise control of the scanner unit position through basic mechanical interactions between the link portions, achieving accurate opening state detection without requiring complex locking components.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes: a recording mechanism unit; an opening/closing unit that opens and closes the top portion of the recording mechanism unit; and a support member that holds the opening/closing unit in an opening state. The support member includes a first link portion that is rotatably connected to the opening/closing unit, a second link portion that is rotatably connected to the first link portion and that is rotatably connected to the recording mechanism unit, a first locking mechanism that holds the opening/closing unit in the opening state at a first angle, and a second locking mechanism that does not hold the opening/closing unit in the opening state at a second angle which is smaller than the first angle.