Exterior Door Light-Transmitting Display for Printer Lock Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, sheet jams occur due to overlap feeding or conveying errors, leading to incomplete discharge and potential damage when the sheet conveying apparatus is drawn, necessitating a solution to inform users of the locked state and prevent further damage.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a locking mechanism for the exterior door that includes a display portion integrated into the door, using a thin portion to transmit light from an LED source, indicating the lock state without additional components, thus informing users of the door's locked status and preventing unauthorized opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a separate display portion made of different material is provided to indicate door lock state, then the lock state can be displayed to users, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display portion is merged with the door structure itself. The door is designed with a light-transmitting portion that allows LED light to pass through when the door is locked, eliminating the need for separate display components made of different materials and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective cover and a display indicator. By incorporating the light-transmitting portion directly into the door, the door itself becomes the display medium, achieving multi-functionality without additional components.
2Loss of information
If a separate display portion made of different material is provided to indicate door lock state, then the lock state can be displayed to users, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display function is combined with the existing door structure. By using the door's own material properties (light transmission) rather than adding separate display components, manufacturing cost is reduced while still achieving effective communication of the lock state to users.
3Ease of operation
If the exterior door is unlocked to allow user access, then users can remove jammed sheets, but sheet damage may occur if the conveying apparatus is drawn
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is activated in advance when a sheet jam is detected. The door is automatically locked and the lock state is displayed to users before they attempt to access the apparatus, preventing unauthorized opening that could cause sheet damage while the conveying apparatus is in an unsafe state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through the display portion indicating when the door is locked due to a sheet jam. This feedback mechanism informs users of the apparatus state, guiding them to wait until the safe condition is achieved before attempting to access and remove jammed sheets.
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
The solution effectively communicates the locked state to users and prevents sheet damage by integrating the display into the exterior door, reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while ensuring user awareness of the apparatus's status.
Implementation Method 1
the display portion includes a thin portion which is a part of the exterior member, has a thickness less than thicknesses of other portions of the exterior member, and transmits light from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus forming an image on a sheet, including: an exterior member movable with respect to an apparatus main body; a locking portion locking the exterior member to the apparatus main body such that the exterior member is not moved with respect to the apparatus main body; a display portion which is disposed on the exterior member and displays a state of the locking portion; and a light source turning on the display portion, in which the display portion includes a thin portion which is a part of the exterior member, has a thickness less than thicknesses of other portions of the exterior member, and transmits light from the light source.