NFC Antenna Positioning in Image Formers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in appropriately arranging communication portions for near field communication, leading to suboptimal communication performance and usability, particularly in terms of location and orientation for effective data transfer and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
The communication portion is strategically arranged inside the cover of the image forming apparatus, with an antenna surface facing the upper section of the cover, positioned downstream in the direction of discharging the recording medium and partially outside the stacking portion, allowing for effective near field communication while minimizing interference with the recording medium discharge and operation panel visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the communication portion is arranged on the outer surface of the main body for easy access, then usability is improved, but it interferes with the recording medium discharge path and affects aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The communication portion is nested inside the outer cover of the main body, specifically in the upper section. The antenna surface faces upward through the cover, allowing wireless communication functionality to be embedded within the existing structure without protruding outward, thus avoiding interference with recording medium discharge while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication portion is positioned in the vertical dimension (upper section of the main body) rather than on the horizontal outer surface. The antenna surface faces upward, utilizing the vertical space within the cover to achieve communication functionality without occupying the horizontal discharge path area.
2Shape
If the communication portion is placed inside the main body to avoid interference with discharge, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but communication performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna surface is specifically oriented to face upward through the upper section of the outer cover, creating a localized communication zone. This positioning ensures that the antenna surface has an unobstructed path for wireless signals while being embedded within the main body, thus maintaining both aesthetic appearance and communication performance.
3Ease of operation
If the antenna surface faces the operation panel for easy user interaction, then usability is improved, but it blocks the user's view of the operation panel
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna surface is positioned asymmetrically in the upper section of the main body, facing upward rather than forward toward the operation panel. This asymmetric placement allows wireless communication to occur in the vertical space above the main body, leaving the front view toward the operation panel completely unobstructed while still enabling easy user interaction through proximity-based communication.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a communication portion arranged inside a cover covering an image forming portion in the main body of the apparatus and including an antenna surface for use in establishing near field communication. The cover includes a stacking portion in its upper section. The stacking portion is configured to receive a recording medium with an image thereon, the recording medium being discharged outside the main body of the apparatus. The antenna surface faces a region of the upper section of the cover downstream in a direction of discharging the recording medium. The antenna surface at least partially faces a region of the upper section of the cover outside the stacking portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharging the recording medium. The communication portion is capable of communicating with another communication portion using near field communication.