Abstract:
A carrier structure is used in a scanner apparatus for carrying optical module back and forth in the scanner apparatus. The carrier structure comprises a housing, a rod, and at least one bearing having a fixed section. The rod inserts into the bearing and sets on the housing by the fixed section of the bearing. Thus, the housing moves along linear path.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a carrier structure adopted for use on scanner apparatus and particularly to a carrier structure capable of saving time and efforts required in measuring and correcting bearing coaxial alignment and perpendicularity.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A scanner apparatus usually has an optical module to capture the image of a document placed on a glass board. In order to move the optical module, the scanner apparatus usually has rods at two ends of the optical module to guide the movement of the optical module to perform scanning operation.  
         [0003]     Refer to  FIG. 1  for a conventional carrier structure. The rods run through two sleeves at two ends of an optical module. As the sleeves do not have bearings located therein, movement of the optical module on the rods is not smooth.  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  illustrates another conventional carrier structure. The optical module has plastic sleeves at two ends to couple with bearings, and a rod runs through the two bearings held in the plastic sleeves to couple with the optical module. In practice, after the bearings have been coupled with the plastic sleeves, the axial alignment and perpendicularity of the two bearings will affect the movement of the optical module on the rod. Hence after the bearings have been coupled on the plastic sleeves, the axial alignment and perpendicularity at two ends of the bearings have to be measured. The measurement ensures that they are within the allowable range. So the optical module is moved smoothly as desired on the rod coupled with the plastic sleeves. However, adopting such a technique still cannot ensure that the coaxial alignment of the plastic sleeves can be maintained after injection within the allowable range. And the coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings after coupled with the plastic sleeves also are not necessary within the allowable range. Hence the coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings must be calibrated before coupling with the rod, to ensure smooth coupling. If the coaxial alignment and perpendicularity do not conform to the required standards, the bearings have to be modified and corrected. This takes considerable time.  
         [0005]     Refer to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  for yet another conventional carrier structure. It has two fixed elements located on two ends of the optical module and movable sleeves movably coupled on the fixed elements. After the movable sleeves have been mounted on the fixed elements, the bearings may be disposed in the movable sleeves as previously discussed. And the rod may be coupled with the bearings. Such a technique also has the problems mentioned above.  FIG. 4  shows still another conventional carrier structure. It also has the same problems mentioned above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the invention is to provide a carrier structure to save time and efforts in measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings coupled on the rods at two ends of the optical module, and enable the housing to be movable on a linear path.  
       [0006]     The carrier structure of the invention is adopted for use on scanner apparatus to carry an optical module back and forth in the scanner apparatus. It includes a pair of bearings, a rod and a housing. The bearing has a fixed section. The rod runs through the bearings. The housing has a coupling surface to allow the fixed section of the bearing to be directly mounted thereon so that the housing may be moved on a linear path.  
         [0007]     For installation, first, have the rod running through the bearings; then place the fixed section of the bearing in contact with the coupling surface of the housing. Finally, fastening elements are used to fasten screw holes to restrict the movement of the bearings. The carrier structure thus formed can save time and efforts in measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings, coupled on the rods at two ends of the optical module.  
         [0008]     The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional carrier structure.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another conventional carrier structure.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of yet another conventional carrier structure.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of still another conventional carrier structure.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6  for a first embodiment of the carrier structure of the invention. It is adopted for used on scanner apparatus to carry an optical module to move back and forth in the scanner apparatus. The carrier structure according to the invention includes a pair of bearings  10 , a rod  20  and a housing  30 .  
         [0022]     The bearings  10  have respectively a fixed section  11 , a cutoff, for directly installing the bearings  10  on the housing  30 . The fixed section  11  has a trough  111  in the second dimension. The bearing  10  further has a screw hole  12  located on the fixed section  11  in the first dimension.  
         [0023]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 . The housing  30  has a coupling surface  31  to allow the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  to be directly mounted thereon so that the housing  30  is moved along a linear path. To directly mount the bearing  10  onto the housing  30 , the housing  30  has a fastening screw hole  32  corresponding to the screw hole  12 . So by the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32 , the bearing  10  and the housing  30  are coupled by a fastening element  40  (a screw is shown in the drawings) for directly fastening the fixed section  11  to the housing  30 . For the housing  30  without the fastening screw hole  32  and the bearing  10  without the screw hole  12 , a self-tapping screw fastening element  40  (not shown in the drawings) may be used.  
         [0024]     The housing  30  further has bearing retaining members  33   a  and  33   b  located on the coupling surface  31 , corresponding to the bearing  10 , to restrict the movement of the fixed section  11  on the coupling surface  31 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  is formed on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to the trough  111  in the second dimension. The second bearing retaining member  33   b  is formed on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to two opposing sides of the fixed section  11  in the third dimension.  
         [0025]     For installation, the rod  20  runs through the bearings  10  first. Then place the fixed section  11  of the bearing  10  in contact with the coupling section  31  of the housing  30 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the second dimension, and the second bearing retaining member  33   b  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the third dimension. Finally, the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32  are fastened by the fastening element  40  to restrict the movement of the bearing  10  in the first dimension.  
         [0026]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 , and the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  directly mounted onto the housing  30  saves time and efforts required for measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings  10 .  
         [0027]     Refer  FIGS. 7 and 8  for a second embodiment of the carrier structure of the invention. It is adopted for use on scanner apparatus to carry an optical module, to move back and forth in the scanner apparatus. The carrier structure according to the invention includes a pair of bearings  10 , a rod  20  and a housing  30 .  
         [0028]     The bearings  10  have respectively a fixed section  11  for installing the bearings  10  on the housing  30 . The fixed section  11  has a trough  111  on the second dimension. The bearing  10  further has a screw hole  12  located on the fixed section  11  in the first dimension.  
         [0029]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 . The housing  30  has a coupling surface  31  to allow the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  to be directly mounted thereon so that the housing  30  may be moved along a linear path. To directly mount the bearing  10  onto the housing  30 , the housing  30  has a fastening screw hole  32  corresponding to the screw hole  12 . So by the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32 , the bearing  10  and the housing  30  are coupled by a fastening element  40  (a screw is shown in the drawings) for directly fastening the fixed section  11  to the housing  30 . For the housing  30  without the fastening screw hole  32  and the bearing  10  without the screw hole  12 , a self-tapping screw fastening element  40  (not shown in the drawings) is used.  
         [0030]     The housing  30  further has bearing retaining members  33   a  and  33   b  located on the coupling surface  31  corresponding to the bearing  10 , to restrict the movement of the fixed section  11  on the coupling surface  31 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  is formed on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to the fixed section  11  in the second dimension. The second bearing retaining member  33   b  is formed on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to the fixed section  11  in the third dimension.  
         [0031]     For installation, the rod  20  runs through the bearings  10  first. Then place the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  in contact with the coupling section  31  of the housing  30 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the second dimension, and the second bearing retaining member  33   b  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the third dimension. Finally, the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32  are fastened by a fastening element  40  to restrict the movement of the bearing  10  in the first dimension.  
         [0032]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 , and the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  directly mounted onto the housing  30  saves time and efforts required for measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings  10 .  
         [0033]     Refer  FIGS. 9 and 10  for a third embodiment of the carrier structure of the invention. It is adopted for used on scanner apparatus to carry an optical module to move back and forth in the scanner apparatus. The carrier structure according to the invention includes a pair of bearings  10 , a rod  20  and a housing  30 .  
         [0034]     The bearings  10  have respectively a fixed section  11 , formed in screw flanges for installing the bearings  10  on the housing  30 . The fixed section  11  has a trough  111  on the second dimension. The bearing  10  further has screw holes  12  located on the fixed section  11  in the first dimension.  
         [0035]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 . The housing  30  has a coupling surface  31  to allow the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  to be directly mounted thereon so that the housing  30  is moved along a linear path. To directly mount the bearing  10  onto the housing  30 , the housing  30  has fastening screw holes  32  corresponding to the screw holes  12 . So by the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32 , the bearing  10  and the housing  30  are coupled by fastening elements  40  (screws are shown in the drawings) for directly fastening the fixed section  11  to the housing  30 . For the housing  30  without the fastening screw holes  32  and the bearing  10  without the screw holes  12 , self-tapping screw fastening elements  40  (not shown in the drawings) are used.  
         [0036]     The housing  30  further has a bearing retaining member  33  located on the coupling surface  31  that is a bore corresponding to the fixed section  10  to restrict the movement of the fixed section  11  on the coupling surface  31 .  
         [0037]     For installation, the rod  20  runs through the bearings  10  first. Then place the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  in contact with the coupling section  31  of the housing  30 . The bearing retaining member  33  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the second and third dimensions. Finally, the screw holes  12  and the fastening screw holes  32  are fastened by the fastening element  40 , to restrict the movement of the bearing  10  in the first dimension.  
         [0038]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 , and the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  directly mounted onto the housing  30  saves time and efforts required for measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings  10 .  
         [0039]     Refer to  FIGS. 11 and 12  for a fourth embodiment of the carrier structure of the invention. It is adopted for used on scanner apparatus to carry an optical module to move back and forth in the scanner apparatus. The carrier structure according to the invention includes a pair of bearings  10 , a rod  20  and a housing  30 . The bearings  10  have respectively a fixed section  11  formed in a screw flange for directly installing the bearings  10  on the housing  30 . The fixed section  11  has a trough  111  on the second dimension. The bearing  10  further has a screw hole  12  located on the fixed section  11  in the first dimension.  
         [0040]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 . The housing  30  has a coupling surface  31  to allow the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  to be directly mounted thereon so that the housing  30  may be moved along a linear path. To directly mount the bearing  10  onto the housing  30 , the housing  30  has fastening screw holes  32 , corresponding to the screw hole  12 . So by the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw hole  32 , the bearing  10  and the housing  30  are coupled by a fastening element  40  (a screw is shown in the drawings) for directly fastening the fixed section  11  to the housing  30 . For the housing  30  without the fastening screw holes  32  and the bearing  10  without the screw hole  12 , a self-tapping screw fastening element  40  (not shown in the drawings) is used.  
         [0041]     The housing  30  further has bearing retaining members  33   a  and  33   b  located on the coupling surface  31  corresponding to the bearing  10  to restrict the movement of the fixed section  11  on the coupling surface  31 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  is located on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to the fixed section  11  in the first dimension. The second bearing retaining member  33   b  is formed on the housing  30  in a protrusive manner corresponding to two opposite sides of the fixed section  11  in the second dimension.  
         [0042]     For installation, the rod  20  runs through the bearings  10  first. Then place the fixed section  11  of bearings  10  in contact with the coupling section  31  of the housing  30 . The first bearing retaining member  33   a  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the first dimension, and the second bearing retaining member  33   b  restricts the movement of the bearing  10  in the second dimension. Finally, the screw hole  12  and the fastening screw holes  32  are fastened by the fastening element  40 , to restrict the movement of the bearing  10  in the first dimension.  
         [0043]     The rod  20  runs through the bearings  10 , and the fixed section  11  of the bearings  10  directly mounted onto the housing  30  saves time and efforts required for measuring and correcting coaxial alignment and perpendicularity of the bearings  10 .  
         [0044]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.