Linear guiding mechanism

• US 20060126131A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Transpacific IP Group Limited
• Inventors: Hsu, Hsiu-O, Tseng, Jen-Shou
• Granted Patent: US 7,385,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/497
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1008 with sub-scanning by translatory movement of the picture-bearing surface

Abstract

A linear guiding mechanism for a platform type optical scanner. A V-shaped track is installed inside a casing and positioned parallel to the travel path of a carrier chassis containing a system of optical devices. The upper section of the V-shaped track has a pair of support surfaces forming an included angle. The V-shaped track supports a positioning wheel or a positioning bump attached to the carrier chassis. The carrier chassis moves along the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped track when driven by a driving system. The V-shaped track may be constructed from a pair of monorails so that the driving belt may move inside the space between the monorails. An additional positioning structure may attach to the interior sidewall of the casing to serve as a retainer for the chassis in an intial position.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. An optical scanner, comprising:

a casing comprising a hollow center;

a driving system within the casing, comprising a drive belt;

an optical system within the casing, comprising a carrier chassis and a clamping structure, the clamping structure coupled to the carrier chassis, and coupled to a portion of the driving belt; and

a linear guiding mechanism comprising;

a generally V-shaped track positioned inside the casing, wherein an upper section of the generally V-shaped track comprises a pair of support surfaces, the support surfaces extending generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the generally V-shaped track, and the support surfaces forming an included angle; and

a positioning wheel attached to the carrier chassis, wherein the positioning wheel is supported by the support surfaces on the generally V-shaped track, and the axis of the positioning wheel is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the generally V-shaped track.

19. The optical scanner of claim 18, wherein the generally V-shaped track and the casing are integrally formed.

20. The optical scanner of claim 18, wherein the generally V-shaped track comprises two monorails with each monorail comprising a support surface at its upper section.

21. The optical scanner of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the driving belt is enclosed within a space between the two monorails.

22. The optical scanner of claim 20, wherein the clamping structure is configured to protrude into a space between the monorails.

23. The optical scanner of claim 20, wherein the monorails are coupled to the interior of the casing to form an integrative unit.

24. The optical scanner of claim 18, further comprising a positioning structure coupled to the interior of the casing, the positioning structure capable of retaining the carrier chassis.

25. The optical scanner of claim 18, wherein the positioning structure is coupled to the interior of the casing to form an integrative unit.

26. An optical scanner, comprising:

a casing comprising a generally central hollow space therein;

a driving system capable of being positioned within-the casing, wherein the driving system comprises a drive belt; and

an optical system capable of being positioned within the casing, wherein the optical system comprises a carrier chassis and a clamping structure, wherein the clamping structure is coupled to the carrier chassis and coupled to the drive belt;

a linear guiding mechanism comprising;

a generally V-shaped track capable of being positioned inside the casing, extending generally in the same direction as the travel path of the carrier chassis, wherein the upper section of the generally V-shaped track comprises at least two support surfaces, the support surfaces extending generally in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the generally V-shaped track, and wherein the at least two support surfaces are configured to form an included angle; and

a positioning bump coupled to the carrier chassis, wherein a pair of protruding edges on the positioning bump are capable of being supported by the support surfaces of the generally V-shaped track.

27. The optical scanner of claim 26, wherein the positioning bump is integral with the carrier chassis.

28. The optical scanner of claim 26, wherein the generally V-shaped track is coupled to the interior of the casing.

29. The optical scanner of claim 26, wherein the generally V-shaped track comprises two monorails with each monorail comprising a support surface at an upper section.

30. The optical scanner of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the driving belt is capable of being enclosed within a space between the two monorails.

31. The optical scanner of claim 29, wherein the clamping structure is capable of protruding into a space between the monorails.

32. The optical scanner of claim 29, wherein the two monorails are capable of being attached to an interior of the casing.

33. The optical scanner of claim 26, wherein the optical scanner further comprises a positioning structure capable of being attached to an interior sidewall of the casing, the positioning structure capable of retaining the carrier chassis.

34. The optical scanner of claim 33, wherein the positioning structure is capable of being coupled to the interior sidewall of the casing.

35. A guiding mechanism for a scanner, comprising:

a generally V-shaped track comprising an upper section which comprises a pair of support surfaces, the support surfaces extending generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of the generally V-shaped track, and the support surfaces forming an included angle; and

a positioning wheel attached to the carrier chassis, wherein the positioning wheel is capable of being supported by the support surfaces of the generally V-shaped track, and the axis of the positioning wheel is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the generally V-shaped track.

36. The guiding mechanism of claim 35, wherein the generally V-shaped track comprises two monorails, with each monorail comprising a support surface at an upper section.

37. The guiding mechanism of claim 36, further comprising a positioning bump comprising protruding edges which are capable of being supported by the support surfaces of the generally V-shaped track 38. The guiding mechanism of claim 35, wherein the guiding mechanism is capable of being coupled within a scanner casing.