Retractable Operation Panel with Intermediate Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately detect the position of an operation panel when it is partially extended or retracted, leading to inefficiencies and potential user confusion.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a movable operation panel that can be positioned at an exposed, stored, or intermediate state, with sensors detecting these positions to control power supply and display modes accordingly, ensuring accurate detection and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation panel is made movable between exposed and stored positions, then the visibility and usability of the display is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between exposed and stored positions. This dynamic configuration enables the display to be visible and usable when needed while being retracted to minimize obstruction during printing operations, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are added to detect the operation panel position, then the measurement precision of panel position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion detection sensor acts as an intermediary device to detect the position of the operation panel. The sensor detects protrusions on the panel at different positions (exposed, intermediate, stored) and converts this mechanical information into electrical signals for the controller. This approach achieves precise position measurement without requiring complex measurement systems, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operation panel can be positioned at intermediate positions, then the adaptability of the display configuration is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the panel position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation panel's movement is segmented into distinct detectable positions: exposed position, intermediate position(s), and stored position. By dividing the continuous movement into discrete segments with unique protrusion configurations, the system achieves multiple display configurations for adaptability while maintaining simple detection through the protrusion sensor that can reliably distinguish between these segmented states.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material includes: an apparatus body including an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording material; an operation panel including a display portion configured to display information regarding image formation, the operation panel being provided in the apparatus body to be movable between an exposed position where the entirety of the display portion is exposed to an outside of the apparatus body and a stored position where the entirety of the display portion is stored in the apparatus body so as not to be visible from the outside of the apparatus body, the operation panel operation panel can be positioned at an intermediate position between the exposed position and the stored position, where a portion of the operation panel is stored in the apparatus body; a state change portion configured to change a state according to the exposed position, the stored position, and the intermediate position of the operation panel; and a controller configured to determine the exposed state, the stored position, or the intermediate position of the operation panel based on the state of the state change portion.