Multi-function device grip portion load path design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) experience deformation of the outer cover when lifted due to the weight of the image forming and scanning units, requiring high rigidity in the outer cover, which limits design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The MFD design includes first grip portions on the side walls of the image scanning unit, allowing users to lift the device by gripping these areas, thereby directly loading the weight onto the grip faces, reducing the load on the outer cover and allowing for lower rigidity, thus increasing design freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer cover is made with high rigidity to support the weight of the image forming unit and image scanning unit during lifting, then the structural strength is improved, but the design freedom of the outer cover is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces grip portions as an intermediary structure between the user's hand and the device body. These grip portions are provided on the image scanning unit (which is securely mounted on the frame) rather than on the outer cover itself. When the user lifts the device by gripping these portions, the load is transmitted through the image scanning unit and frame structure, bypassing the outer cover. This mediator approach allows the outer cover to have lower rigidity and greater design freedom while still enabling safe lifting of the device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outer cover is made with lower rigidity to increase design freedom, then the design flexibility is improved, but the outer cover becomes prone to deformation when the device is lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The grip portions serve as a mediator that redirects the lifting load away from the outer cover. By providing gripping surfaces on the image scanning unit which is firmly mounted to the frame, the load path is established through rigid structural components (image scanning unit → frame → image forming unit) rather than through the outer cover. This allows the outer cover to be designed with lower rigidity and higher design flexibility without risking deformation during lifting operations.
3Ease of operation
If the grip portions are provided on the outer cover to enable lifting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the outer cover is subjected to high stress and may deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the grip portions from the outer cover to the image scanning unit, using the image scanning unit as an intermediary structure. This intermediary has a rigid connection to the frame and can bear the lifting load without deformation. The grip portions maintain ease of operation by providing accessible gripping surfaces, while the stress is transferred through the intermediate image scanning unit and frame structure rather than being applied directly to the outer cover, thus avoiding stress-related deformation of the outer cover.
Data Source
AI summary
According to aspects of the invention, there is provided a multi-function device, which is provided with a housing, an image forming unit accommodated in the housing, and an image scanning unit arranged above the housing. The housing includes a frame supporting the image forming unit, the image scanning unit being secured to the frame and an outer cover attached to outside the frame to form a side wall of the housing. The continuous surfaces extending in an up-and-down direction are defined by at least part of side walls of the image scanning unit and at least part of the outer cover, and first grip portions having first grip faces, which extend from the continuous surfaces toward inside of the image scanning unit, are provided on the side walls of the image scanning unit.