Image-Forming Device Protruding Portion for Panel Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in size reduction while maintaining the visibility and operability of the operation panel, as frequently used operation keys and display portions are often arranged outside the sheet discharge region, and existing solutions only allow for temporary size reduction.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a protruding portion on the operation panel within the sheet placement region, extending upward beyond the top surface of the sheet placement portion, creating a gap for sheet discharge support and allowing the operation panel to be integrated within the region without compromising visibility or operability, thus eliminating the need for external space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation panel is arranged outside the sheet discharge region, then the visibility and operability of the operation panel are maintained, but the size of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion extends in the sheet discharge direction (depth dimension) beyond the top surface of the sheet placement portion, creating a vertical gap that separates the operation panel from discharged sheets. This dimensional approach allows the operation panel to be positioned within the sheet discharge region without compromising visibility or operability, thereby enabling apparatus size reduction.
2Ease of operation
If frequently used operation keys and display portion are arranged outside the sheet discharge region, then the operation panel remains accessible, but the apparatus cannot be compacted
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion creates vertical separation by extending beyond the top surface in the sheet discharge direction, allowing operation keys and display portion to be positioned within the sheet discharge region while maintaining accessibility. This resolves the contradiction by utilizing the depth dimension rather than requiring lateral space.
3Area of stationary object
If the operation panel is integrated within the sheet placement region, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the visibility and operability may be degraded by discharged sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion acts as an intermediary structure between the operation panel and discharged sheets. It provides physical support to lift sheets off the top surface, creating a gap that prevents sheets from obscuring or interfering with the operation panel, thus maintaining visibility and operability while enabling integration within the sheet discharge region.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an image-forming device with which it is possible to achieve a smaller size while suppressing a reduction in visibility or operability of an operation panel. In this image-forming device (1), paper sheets (15) on which an image is formed are discharged from the rear side of the device toward the front side of the device, and the image formation device is provided with: a paper-sheet-loading unit (10) in which the paper sheets are loaded; an operation panel (20) disposed on the downstream-side end in the paper sheet discharge direction of the paper-sheet-loading unit, at least a part of the operation panel (20) being disposed in a loading region (R) of the paper-sheet-loading unit; and a protruding part (25) disposed to the side of the operation panel in the loading region, the protruding part protruding upward from the top surface (11a) of the paper-sheet-loading unit, and extending in the paper sheet discharge direction.