Cable Cover for Image Forming System Operating Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-size image forming systems with multiple connected option devices, the operating unit's cable is prone to being caught by openable portions such as the scanner device's feeding mechanism or toner bottle accommodating portion, causing operational inconvenience due to the need for frequent user movement between devices.
Innovation Solution
The image forming system incorporates a cable accommodating portion on the top surface, with a cable cover and retaining portion that directs the cable away from the openable portions, ensuring it is led out on the opposite side to prevent entanglement, and positions the cable opening and retaining portion to minimize interference with the scanner device or toner bottle cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating unit is freely mounted on the top surface with a cable connected, then the user can operate the device flexibly, but the cable may be caught by openable portions such as the scanner or toner bottle cover
Solution Approach 1:
A cable guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the openable portions. This guide member directs the cable along a predetermined path, preventing it from being caught by the scanner or toner bottle cover during opening/closing operations, thus resolving the contradiction between flexible mounting and cable safety
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide member is pre-installed on the image forming apparatus to establish a safe cable path before the operating unit is mounted. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the cable will not interfere with openable portions regardless of where the operating unit is positioned within the allowable range
2Ease of operation
If the cable is routed freely across the top surface, then the operating unit can be positioned anywhere within cable length, but the cable may interfere with scanner operation or toner bottle access
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide member creates a localized safe zone for cable routing by directing it along a specific path that avoids critical areas. This allows the operating unit to be freely positioned within the allowable range while the cable itself is constrained to a safe trajectory, maintaining ease of positioning without interference
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is allowed to move freely, then the operating unit has maximum positioning freedom, but the cable may become tangled or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide member serves as a protective intermediary that constrains the cable's movement path. This prevents the cable from becoming tangled or damaged while still allowing the operating unit to be positioned anywhere within the allowable range, thus maintaining both positioning freedom and cable reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an openable portion, an operating unit, a cable, an accommodating portion, a cable cover, a retaining portion, and an opening. When the cable cover is viewed along a vertical direction, an edge portion of the opening and an end portion of the cable are defined, specifically, the opening defines an edge portion of an edge of the opening on a side where the openable portion is positioned with respect to a left-right direction, and the cable defines an end portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cable retained by the retaining portion with respect to the left-right direction. With respect to the left-right direction, the edge portion is positioned further on a side opposite from the side where the openable portion is positioned than the end portion is.