Reader Cover Light Transmission Sheet for IC Card Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with IC card readers face challenges in accommodating different IC card reader models due to varying lighting portion positions, leading to the need for multiple sheet materials, which increases costs and compromises the outer appearance quality due to conspicuous openings in high-transmittance covers.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a reader cover featuring a light transmission sheet that allows 5% to 25% visible light transmittance, incorporating a cover with strategically positioned openings and a semi-transparent sheet material to ensure the lighting portion is visible while minimizing the visibility of openings, thus allowing a single cover to be used across different IC card reader models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light transmission sheet with high transmittance is applied onto the cover, then the lighting portion is easily visible, but the openings become conspicuous and the outer appearance quality lowers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a light transmission sheet with optimized transmittance parameters (5-25% for visible light) to balance two conflicting requirements: making the lighting portion visible while minimizing the conspicuousness of openings. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal transmittance range that satisfies both visibility and appearance quality requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If sheet materials with different transparent regions are prepared for different IC card reader models, then the lighting portion visibility is ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal light transmission sheet that can be applied to multiple IC card reader models with different lighting portion positions. The sheet includes multiple openings arranged to accommodate various lighting positions, eliminating the need for model-specific sheet materials. This universality reduces device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining lighting visibility across different models.
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
This solution enables cost savings by eliminating the need for multiple sheet materials and improves the outer appearance quality by reducing the conspicuousness of openings, ensuring the lighting portion is easily recognizable while maintaining a uniform appearance.
Implementation Method 1
transmittance of visible light for the light transmission sheet is 5% or more and 25% or less
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet; a mounting portion on which an IC card reader which includes a lighting portion where light indicating an operation state comes on and which is used for user authentication is mounted; a reader cover mounted on the mounting portion and covering the IC card reader, wherein the reader cover is provided with a plurality of openings, either one of the openings opposing the lighting portion of the IC card reader; and a light transmission sheet provided on the reader cover and covering the openings, wherein transmittance of visible light for the light transmission sheet is 5% or more and 25% or less.