Image Forming Apparatus Operation Unit Side Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses have an operation unit that obstructs the user's view of discharged sheets, making it difficult to recognize small sheets and potentially preventing their removal.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with an image reading device that protrudes beyond the image forming unit, allowing for a reduced operation unit size that improves visibility of discharged sheets without compromising operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation unit is disposed above and covers the stacking unit, then the operability of the operation unit is maintained, but the visual recognizability of discharged sheets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the stacking unit) to a horizontal arrangement (to the side of the stacking unit). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension allows the operation unit to no longer block the user's view of the stacking unit, resolving the contradiction between maintaining operability and ensuring visual recognizability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the size of the operation unit is decreased to improve visibility, then the visual recognizability of discharged sheets improves, but the operability of the operation unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit is extracted from its conventional position above the stacking unit and relocated to the side. This extraction eliminates the spatial conflict between the operation unit and the stacking unit, allowing the operation unit to maintain its full size and operability while no longer obstructing the view of discharged sheets.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the image reading device protrudes beyond the image forming unit, then the visual recognizability of discharged sheets improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image reading device is extended in the width direction (horizontal dimension) beyond the image forming unit, rather than increasing complexity in the vertical dimension. This dimensional approach allows the discharge stacking unit to be positioned in the width direction, improving visibility without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Supporting means (102, 103) supports image reading means (150). The image reading means is movable between a first position at which a front side of the image reading means is close to an image forming means (110) and a second position at which a front side of the image reading means is spaced apart from the image forming means. A first end portion of operation means (170) protrudes outward of the image forming means from one side surface. A second end portion of the operation means that opposes the first end portion is positioned on an inner side of the image forming means relative to one side surface of the image forming means.