Imaging Apparatus Common Rear Casing Design

Solution Overview

Problem

The production of multiple types of imaging apparatuses with similar designs results in wasteful overlapping development periods and costs due to the need for designing and manufacturing similar components and parts.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus system is designed with a common rear casing and top casing for multiple imaging apparatuses, allowing for streamlined design and reduced manufacturing costs by sharing common components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple imaging apparatuses of different types are designed with similar appearances, then design consistency and user familiarity are improved, but development time and manufacturing costs increase due to overlapping design and production of similar components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign consistencyVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common rear casing that can be used across multiple imaging apparatus types. The rear casing includes a standardized monitor mounting structure and control panel layout that serves multiple product lines, eliminating the need to redesign these components for each apparatus type while maintaining consistent user interface and display positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the imaging apparatus into modular components: a standardized rear casing module, a removable top casing module, and interchangeable internal components. This segmentation allows the rear casing to be developed once and reused across multiple products, while only the top casing and internal components need customization for different apparatus types, significantly reducing overall development time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple imaging apparatuses of different types are designed with similar appearances, then design consistency and user familiarity are improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to overlapping production of similar components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign consistencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a common rear casing that can be used across multiple imaging apparatus types. The rear casing includes a standardized monitor mounting structure and control panel layout that serves multiple product lines, eliminating the need to redesign these components for each apparatus type while maintaining consistent user interface and display positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the development and production efforts by consolidating the rear casing design into a single standardized component that serves multiple apparatus types. This merging allows shared tooling, assembly processes, and quality control procedures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining design consistency across the product family.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a common rear casing is shared among multiple imaging apparatus types, then design streamlining and cost reduction are achieved, but flexibility in designing unique features for each apparatus type is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign efficiencyVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the imaging apparatus into modular components: a standardized rear casing module, a removable top casing module, and interchangeable internal components. This segmentation allows the rear casing to be developed once and reused across multiple products, while only the top casing and internal components need customization for different apparatus types, significantly reducing overall development time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability through removable top casings and interchangeable internal components that can be adapted to different apparatus types. The standardized rear casing provides a stable foundation, while the modular upper sections can be dynamically configured to meet specific product requirements, maintaining both efficiency and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12271101B2Imaging apparatus system

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An imaging apparatus system includes a first imaging apparatus, and a second imaging apparatus. The first imaging apparatus includes a first top casing including a casing top surface, and a common rear casing including a casing rear surface. The second imaging apparatus includes a second top casing including a casing top surface, and the common rear casing. The first top casing has a shape in which a vent hole is formed in the second top casing.