In-body Sheet Discharge Tray Operating Panel Overlap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatuses are bulky in the front and rear direction due to the placement of the stepped portion and operating portion, which hinders miniaturization and user accessibility, especially for individuals with low eye levels or disabilities.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with the operating portion positioned on a front descending inclined portion between the sheet placement surface of the discharge tray and the image forming portion, overlapping with the sheet placement area, and equipped with a protruding portion to support the recording medium, ensuring visibility and accessibility while minimizing the device's size in the front and rear directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stepped portion and operating portion are arranged on the front side of the discharge portion, then the operating portion is easily accessible to users, but the image forming apparatus becomes large in the front and rear direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the operating portion from the front side to the rear side of the sheet discharge tray, utilizing the depth dimension of the tray to place controls within the user's natural line of sight. This dimensional relocation allows the operating portion to be both accessible and visible without increasing the apparatus's front-to-rear footprint, as the operating portion is nested within the existing tray depth rather than extending beyond it.
2Ease of operation
If the operating portion is positioned on the front side of the sheet discharge tray, then the distance from the front face to the operating portion is short, but the sheet placement area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operating portion is relocated to the rear side of the sheet discharge tray, utilizing the depth dimension rather than the front-to-rear external dimension. This allows the full front surface of the tray to remain available as sheet placement area, while the operating portion is positioned within the tray's depth, maintaining both adequate sheet area and operational accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the operating portion is arranged on the front side of the discharge portion, then it is easily accessible, but it may be obscured by the discharged sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The operating portion is repositioned to the rear side of the sheet discharge tray, placing it in the user's line of sight rather than in front of the discharge area. This dimensional relocation ensures that discharged sheets cannot obscure the operating portion, as the controls are positioned behind the sheet ejection path while remaining within easy reach of the user.
4Ease of operation
If the sheet discharge tray is made larger to accommodate the operating portion on the front side, then the operating portion is accessible, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating portion is relocated to the rear side of the sheet discharge tray, utilizing the existing depth dimension of the tray rather than requiring additional front-to-rear space. This allows the operating portion to be positioned within the tray's volume without increasing the overall device footprint, maintaining compact dimensions while ensuring accessibility and visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus including an image forming portion and an image reading portion that is arranged above the image forming portion. The image forming apparatus comprises a sheet discharge tray and an operating panel. The sheet discharge tray is provided in an in-body sheet discharge portion between the image forming portion and the image reading station. On the sheet discharge tray, a sheet having been formed with an image by the image forming unit is discharged. The operating panel is provided on a front side of the sheet discharge tray. A part of a rear side of the operating panel overlaps with a sheet placement area having a front edge that is set on a front side compared to a rear end portion of the sheet discharge tray.