Printer USB Port Positioning for Accessibility and Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with USB ports have poor operability due to the distance between the operation panel and the interface section, and there is a risk of damage to the USB memory from unintended impacts due to its protruding position on the outer surface.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a housing that includes a discharging tray, an operation panel protruding from the side face, and a USB port positioned on the side face between the operation panel and the cover, lower than the upper end and higher than the lower end of the panel, enhancing accessibility and reducing the risk of damage to the USB memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the USB port is arranged at the outer surface of the main body to secure accessibility, then the USB memory can be easily accessed by the user, but the USB memory protrudes from the outer surface and is at risk of damage from unintended impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The USB port is arranged within a recessed region formed in the housing, creating a nested structure where the USB port and inserted USB memory are positioned inside the housing rather than protruding from it. This maintains accessibility while protecting against impacts, as the USB memory remains partially enclosed within the housing structure.
2Device complexity
If the interface section is arranged near the rear face of the image forming apparatus, then the main body structure is simplified, but the distance between the operation panel and interface section becomes long, reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The USB port is positioned on the side face of the housing at a location that is lower than the upper end of the operation panel and higher than the lower end of the operation panel. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions brings the USB port closer to the operation panel in terms of user accessibility, reducing the operational distance without requiring a complete reconfiguration of the internal structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a discharging tray provided at an upper surface of the housing and onto which a sheet is to be discharged, an operation panel provided to the housing outside the discharging tray in a width direction perpendicular to a discharging direction of the sheet, at least a portion of the operation panel protruding with respect to a side face of the housing in the width direction, and a USB port provided at the side face of the housing in the width direction the USB port being arranged at the side face of the housing where the operation panel protrudes, on a downstream side with respect to the operation panel in the discharging direction, at a position that is lower than an upper end of the operation panel and is higher than a lower end of the operation panel.