Cover Opening Force Adjustment via Distributed Snap Fits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in improving the operating feeling during the opening and closing of covers, as they either require excessive force or are too easily opened, leading to a bad user experience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a casing and a displaceable cover, featuring a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion that can be adjusted to change the operating force required for opening and closing, utilizing elastic forces to enhance the user experience by modifying the stress and deformation of the cover during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snap fit parts and protrusions are provided to prevent accidental opening, then the cover is securely locked, but the operating force becomes excessively great making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent snap fit parts distributed at different locations (both side surfaces and widthwise center). Each snap fit part independently contributes to the overall locking force, allowing the total operating force to be distributed across multiple engagement points rather than concentrated at a single location, making the opening operation more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap fit parts are pre-positioned and pre-loaded during assembly to create a predetermined locking state. The protrusions are already engaged with their corresponding recesses before operation, establishing a secure locked state that requires only a release trigger rather than complete disassembly, thereby reducing the actual operating force needed by the user.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is easily opened for accessibility, then the operating force is small, but the cover becomes too easily opened leading to insecure feeling
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cover have different locking characteristics. The snap fit parts at the side surfaces provide strong lateral locking, while the protrusion at the widthwise center provides central stability. This localized differentiation of locking functions allows the cover to feel secure overall while still being operable through coordinated action on multiple distributed elements rather than a single heavy latch.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system transitions dynamically between locked and unlocked states through the coordinated disengagement of multiple snap fit parts. As the cover is opened, the snap fit parts disengage in sequence rather than simultaneously, creating a progressive release that maintains control and security feeling throughout the opening motion while requiring only moderate operating force at any given moment.
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 allows for easy adjustment of the operating force, improving the user's feeling by reducing the force when it's too strong and increasing it when it's too light, thereby enhancing the overall operating experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which is provided on one of the casing and the cover, the first elastic portion having an engage-objective portion which is engageable with an engaging portion provided on the other of the casing and the cover; and a second elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which applies, to the first elastic portion, a force in a direction returning the first elastic portion to an original state when the first elastic portion is deformed
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus which forms an image with an image forming section includes: a casing in which the image forming section is arranged; a cover which is displaceably attached to the casing; a first elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which is provided on one of the casing and the cover, the first elastic portion having an engage-objective portion which is engageable with an engaging portion provided on the other of the casing and the cover; and a second elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which applies, to the first elastic portion, a force in a direction returning the first elastic portion to an original state when the first elastic portion is deformed.