Indicator Light Alignment for Paper Jam Location in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face difficulties in quickly and efficiently locating paper jams due to the need for power sources in external displays, which complicates the mechanical structure and prolongs the time required to resolve jam issues.
Innovation Solution
An indicator system featuring a diffusion lens on the exterior door and an LED light source within the housing, where the optical axes align, eliminating the need for a power source on the door and providing a simple, effective indication of the jam location using a prism effect for easy recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display is provided on the exterior panel to indicate which cover should be opened, then the indication of paper jam location is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a power source and improved mechanical rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
A light-shielding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the exterior panel. This member selectively blocks light to create visible indicators on the panel surface, eliminating the need for complex powered displays while maintaining clear location indication. The light-shielding member acts as a mediator that transforms internal light signals into external visual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the proposed powered display system with an optical indication system using light sources and light-shielding members. This substitution eliminates the need for power sources, circuit boards, and complex mechanical reinforcement, achieving the same information delivery function through a simpler optical mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If multiple covers are provided for covering different parts of the recording sheet conveyance path, then the accessibility to different jam locations is improved, but the time to locate the correct cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visible light indicators that create distinct visual patterns on different panel sections. When a light source is activated, the light-shielding member blocks light in specific areas to form visible indicators that directly show which cover should be opened. This visual coding system allows operators to quickly identify the correct cover without examining multiple panels or guessing locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding member serves as an intermediary that translates internal sensor information into external visual guidance. By blocking light in specific patterns, it creates intuitive visual cues that immediately indicate which cover contains the paper jam, eliminating the time required to search through multiple covers.
3Loss of information
If a light source is mounted on the housing with aligned optical axis to the diffusion lens, then the indication clarity is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light indication function from complex display systems and implements it through simple light sources positioned within the housing. The light sources are mounted to face the exterior panel, and while optical alignment is beneficial, the system remains functional with moderate precision, as the light-shielding member creates the indication pattern rather than requiring precise lens alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the light indication system by using light-shielding members to create visible patterns rather than relying on precise optical alignment of lenses and light sources. This parameter change allows for more tolerant manufacturing specifications while maintaining clear indication functionality.
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 a straightforward and efficient indication of paper jam locations without adding power sources to the exterior panel, simplifying the structure and reducing the time needed to address jams, while maintaining mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed on a housing positioned in an interior of the door
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion lens disposed on the door and opposed to the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator disposed on an openably closable door disposed on a part of an exterior panel includes a light source disposed on a housing positioned in an interior of the door and a diffusion lens disposed on the door and opposed to the light source, wherein the light source is mounted on a support part disposed on the housing so that an optical axis of the light source is coincident with that of the diffusion lens. The door includes a recessed portion including a retainer, and the diffusion lens is supported in the recessed portion with the retainer pressing an external surface of the diffusion lens entirely so that the light from the light source is prevented from leaking from the surface of the door.