Operation Console Light Shielding for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation consoles for image processing apparatuses lack a high-class look and fail to effectively differentiate between touch-panel and hardware keys, leading to potential erroneous operations due to similar operational sensations and leakage of light from key illumination, which diminishes the sophisticated appearance.
Innovation Solution
The operation console incorporates a touch-operation portion with a touch-panel, capacitance type key, and mechanical key, arranged in distinct areas with partitions and different tactile sensations, and utilizes a light guiding and shielding system to emit light only from the upper surface, preventing leakage and enhancing visibility of key functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a touch-panel display is used for the operation console, then the high-class look and sophisticated appearance are improved, but the user may inadvertently operate hardware keys erroneously without recognizing their importance
Solution Approach 1:
The operation console is segmented into two distinct areas: a first area containing touch-panel type keys and a second area containing hardware keys. This spatial segmentation allows the console to maintain a high-class uniform appearance while providing tactile differentiation through distinct operational sensations in different zones, preventing erroneous operation of important hardware keys.
2Illumination intensity
If light is emitted from LED elements through a light guiding portion, then the figure on the key sheet is illuminated and easily recognizable, but light leaks from side surfaces causing surrounding areas to be lit and losing the high-class look
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding portion is designed with differentiated local properties: the upper surface is made light-transmitting to illuminate the key figure, while the side surfaces are made light-shielding to prevent light leakage. This local quality differentiation ensures effective key illumination while maintaining the high-class appearance by confining light emission to the intended area only.
3Ease of operation
If hardware keys are arranged on the operation console for important functions, then easy operation is achieved, but the uniform high-class appearance is compromised and tactile differentiation is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The operation console surface is divided into distinct operational areas with different tactile characteristics. The first area provides a smooth touch-panel surface for general operations, while the second area provides a distinct hardware key surface for important functions. This segmentation maintains overall uniform appearance while enabling tactile differentiation for ease of operation.
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 design allows users to easily recognize and understand key roles without feeling strangeness in tactile sensations, while maintaining a high-class look by ensuring light is emitted efficiently from the upper surface, preventing surrounding illumination and enhancing the console's aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent light guiding portion 910 that transmits light emitted from LED elements 906 and 908 is positioned
Implementation Method 2
a light shielding portion 920 not transmitting the visible light emitted from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A touch key of an operation console includes a circuit board (310) having a light source (312, 314), a light transmitting portion (322) transmitting light, a non-transparent light shielding portion (324) and a semi-transparent operation panel (300) covering upper surfaces of the light transmitting portion and the light shielding portion. The light transmitting portion accommodates the light source. The surfaces of light transmitting portion and light shielding portion in contact with each other are tightly sealed, and the circuit board (310) and the light shielding portion (324) cover the light transmitting portion (322) such that the light is emitted only from the surface in contact with the operation panel (300). Thus, leakage of light from around a figure indicating a touch key can be prevented, and the operation console comes to have a high-class look.