Pivoting Operation Panel Layout for Compact Sheet Discharge Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a large display size for improved readability and operability while keeping the device compact, particularly when the operation panel overlaps the sheet discharge tray, potentially reducing the loading capacity of the tray due to interference.
Innovation Solution
The operation panel is designed to pivot with a rotational axis positioned downstream of its center, allowing it to overlap the sheet discharge tray without obstructing the discharge path by positioning the lower end of the panel above the occupied region, and adjusting the tilt angle to enhance readability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the operation panel is disposed to overlap the sheet discharge tray in the left-right direction to improve readability and increase display size, then the readability and display size are improved, but the loading capacity of the sheet discharge tray decreases due to interference with the discharged sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel is designed with an asymmetric pivot position, where the rotational axis is located at the downstream end in the sheet discharge direction rather than at the center. This asymmetric positioning allows the panel to overlap the sheet discharge tray area while its rotation path does not interfere with the discharged sheets, thus maintaining both readability and loading capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The operation panel is configured to rotate in the vertical direction (up-down rotation) rather than in the horizontal direction. By changing the rotation dimension from horizontal to vertical, the panel can overlap the sheet discharge tray area without interfering with the horizontal discharge path of the sheets, resolving the conflict between display size and loading capacity
2Ease of operation
If the operation panel is made larger to improve operability and readability, then the operability and readability are improved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel utilizes the vertical space above the sheet discharge tray by rotating in the vertical direction. This allows a large display to be positioned in the vertical dimension without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device, thus improving operability while maintaining a compact overall device size
Solution Approach 2:
The space above the sheet discharge tray is utilized for mounting the operation panel, making this region serve dual purposes: it supports the discharge function below while accommodating the operation interface above. This multi-functional use of space allows a large display without increasing device footprint
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a casing, a document reading unit, a sheet discharge unit, a sheet supporting portion, an operation unit, and a supporting unit. If a region which a plurality of the recording material occupies when a maximum number of a maximum size of a recording material supportable on the sheet supporting portion is supported is defined as an occupied region, the operation unit is disposed such that a part of the operation unit in a width direction overlaps the occupied region. The rotational axis is positioned downstream of a center of the operation unit in the sheet discharge direction and downstream of the document reading unit in the sheet discharge direction. The supporting unit supports the operation unit such that, when the operation unit is positioned in a second position, a lower end of the operation unit is positioned above the occupied region.