Imaging Device Operation Panel with Ratchet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visibility of information on operation panels in imaging devices is reduced due to light reflection, causing inconvenience to users, especially when the user's viewing angle and indoor lighting interact.
Innovation Solution
An operation panel design featuring a panel body hinged to a connector via a pin shaft with a torsion spring, a ratchet wheel, and a backstop, allowing the panel to be adjusted and positioned to minimize light reflection, with a driving system to release the positioning for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the operation panel is fixed at a standard angle, then the device structure is simple, but the visibility of information is reduced due to light reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The panel can rotate around a pin shaft to different angles, allowing users to change the panel's orientation to minimize light reflection and improve visibility. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the panel adaptable to different lighting conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure using a torsion spring for automatic return.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a rotational dimension to the panel's positioning capability. Instead of being constrained to a single fixed angle, the panel can rotate around the pin shaft axis, introducing a new degree of freedom. This dimensional change allows the panel to be oriented at optimal angles relative to light sources, improving visibility without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
2Illumination intensity
If the panel is made adjustable to avoid light reflection, then the visibility is improved, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring mechanism provides automatic return functionality, making the system partially self-service. When the user releases the panel after adjustment, the torsion spring automatically returns the panel to its initial position without requiring additional operational steps. This reduces operation complexity by eliminating the need for manual resetting or complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is extracted as a separate, simple mechanism using a ratchet wheel and pawl system. This dedicated positioning component handles the locking function independently, allowing the main panel adjustment to focus solely on rotation while the positioning system manages angle fixation. This separation simplifies the overall operation by making each component's function clear and straightforward.
3Illumination intensity
If a positioning system is added to fix the panel angle, then the visibility is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as a ratchet wheel with pawls and a backstop. These are basic mechanical elements that provide reliable positioning without adding significant structural complexity. The design favors simple, readily available components over complex electronic or precision mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is segmented into distinct functional components: the ratchet wheel for angle selection, pawls for locking, and a backstop for limiting rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently with simple geometry, avoiding the need for a monolithic complex positioning mechanism.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the backstop is fixed to prevent panel rotation, then the positioning is stable, but the adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backstop is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide along the pin shaft axis. This dynamic design enables the backstop to temporarily yield during panel rotation and then engage to provide stable positioning. The backstop's ability to move and engage/disengage provides both adjustment flexibility and positioning stability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The backstop engages with the panel body in a periodic manner during rotation, allowing rotation in one direction while preventing rotation in the reverse direction. This periodic engagement provides stable positioning at selected angles while maintaining flexibility for adjustment, as the backstop only restricts motion when engaged and allows motion when disengaged.
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
Enhances the visibility and operation convenience by allowing the panel to be adjusted to a desired angle, reducing light reflection and facilitating input operations, while enabling easy recovery to the initial position.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring is sleeved on the pin shaft, the torsion spring has a first torsion arm fixedly coupled to the panel body, and a second torsion arm fixedly coupled to the connector
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an operation panel for an imaging device and an imaging device thereof. The operation panel comprises: a panel body hinged to a connector through a pin shaft; a positioning system comprising a first ratchet wheel and a backstop, wherein the first ratchet wheel is sleeved on the pin shaft and coupled to the panel body, the backstop is arranged on the connector and configured to clamp the first ratchet wheel when the first ratchet wheel rotates reversely so as to position the first ratchet wheel, and the backstop is coupled to the connector and slides at least in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the pin shaft; and a driving system coupled to the backstop and configured to drive the backstop to slide at least in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the pin shaft.