Wireless Carriage Module Eliminates Cable Abrasion in Flatbed Scanners

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Solution Overview

Problem

In flatbed image scanners, the use of flat flexible cables leads to abrasion issues due to contact with the transparent scanning platform, and restricts miniaturization efforts due to physical connections, affecting scanning quality and device compactness.

Innovation Solution

A wireless carriage module is introduced, eliminating the need for flat flexible cables by using a power-transmitting medium such as conductive rods or plates with voltage difference, and incorporating a wireless transmitter and receiver for signal transmission, allowing the carriage module to move freely and maintain electrical contact without physical constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flat flexible cable is used to connect the carriage module with the circuit board, then electrical connection is maintained, but abrasion occurs due to contact with the transparent scanning platform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidabrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flat flexible cable connection with a wireless transmission system. The carriage module includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits scanned image data wirelessly to the external device, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and thereby preventing abrasion against the transparent scanning platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a flat flexible cable is used to connect the carriage module, then signal transmission is enabled, but the device cannot be miniaturized due to cable constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical cable-based signal transmission system with a wireless transmission system. The carriage module is equipped with a wireless transmission unit that can send data without physical cables, freeing the carriage from cable constraints and enabling more compact scanner design with reduced overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the carriage module moves along the scanning direction, then image scanning is performed, but the flat flexible cable must continuously bend and stretch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning operationVSAvoidcable configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with a wireless transmission system. As the carriage module moves along the scanning direction to perform image scanning, the wireless transmission unit continuously transmits data without any physical cable bending or stretching, maintaining system stability throughout the scanning operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the insulating wrapper of the flat flexible cable contacts the glass scanning platform, then connection is maintained, but plastic chips are generated due to hardness difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidplastic chips

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical cable connection that causes the hardness conflict between the thermoplastic insulating wrapper and the glass scanning platform. By using wireless transmission, there is no physical cable contact with the glass platform, thereby preventing the generation of plastic chips that would result from abrasive contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 prevents abrasion and enables miniaturization of the image scanner by eliminating the need for physical cables, improving scanning quality and flexibility in device placement.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless transmitter incorporated into the carriage module for receiving and modulating the digital data into wireless signals and transmitting the wireless signals out

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectModulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

a wireless receiver separate from the carriage module and being in communication with a processing system for receiving and demodulating the wireless signals from the wireless transmitter into the digital data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDemodulation: Homodyne Detection

Implementation Method 3

a power-transmitting medium in electric contact with the carriage module for providing the carriage module with power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7724401B2Image scanner having wireless carriage module

Publication Date: 2010.05.25 INTELLECTUAL VENTURES I LLC

AI summary

An image scanner having wireless carriage module is provided to overcome the abrasion problem occurred between the flat flexible cable and the transparent scanning platform. The image scanner includes a casing; a carriage module disposed inside the casing for picking up image data of an object to be scanned and converting the image data into digital data; a wireless transmitter incorporated into the carriage module for receiving and modulating the digital data into wireless signals and transmitting the wireless signals out; and a wireless receiver separate from the carriage module and being in communication with a processing system for receiving and demodulating the wireless signals from the wireless transmitter into the digital data and outputting the digital data to the processing system for further processing.