Recessed Printer Operating Panel for Tilted Glare-Free Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses with upward-tilting operating panels face issues where the panel protrudes from the front surface, obstructing other operations and affecting visibility due to potential glare.

Innovation Solution

The operating panel is designed with a recessed portion that fits into the outer packaging, allowing it to be tilted upward while minimizing protrusion, and incorporates a light-shielding feature to enhance visibility and reduce glare.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the operating panel is tilted upward to improve visibility, then the visibility of the operating panel improves, but the operating panel sticks out from the front surface making it difficult to operate other portions of the printing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of operating panelVSAvoidoperation of other portions of printing apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operating panel is tilted upward at an angle (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to the front surface, transitioning from a flat 2D configuration to a 3D angled configuration. This dimensional change improves visibility by presenting the display surface at an optimal viewing angle while the recessed design prevents protrusion that would obstruct other operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating panel is recessed into the housing, with its projection onto the front surface being smaller than the housing's front surface area. This nesting approach allows the tilted panel to be accommodated within the existing housing boundaries, preventing it from sticking out and obstructing other operational areas while maintaining the visibility benefits of the tilt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the operating panel is tilted upward, then the visibility improves, but the operating panel protrudes from the front surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of display surfaceVSAvoidprotrusion distance of operating panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By tilting the operating panel upward at an angle rather than keeping it parallel to the front surface, the display surface is presented at an optimal viewing angle for visibility. The recessed design ensures that despite the tilt, the panel's horizontal projection remains within the housing boundaries, eliminating unwanted protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating panel has different spatial characteristics in different directions: it is tilted upward to maximize visibility in the vertical dimension, while simultaneously being recessed to minimize horizontal protrusion. This local differentiation of spatial properties allows the panel to achieve optimal visibility without obstructing other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12545042B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes: a head configured to perform printing on a medium; an outer packaging configured to accommodate the head; and an operating panel provided at a side surface of the outer packaging and configured to receive an operation, in which the operating panel includes a display surface, and in a state in which the display surface is tilted upward relative to the side surface, at least a portion of the operating panel is recessed into an inside of the outer packaging from the side surface.