Slit Display Window Light Guide Illumination for Printer Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in providing a wide, illuminated display area near the sheet discharge port due to limitations in the placement of light emitting elements relative to the display window, which affects user visibility of the apparatus state from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A display device incorporating a slit-shaped display window with a light guide member and two light emitting elements, where the first light emitting element illuminates one end portion and the second light emitting element illuminates the other end portion of the light guide member, ensuring the entire display area is illuminated without interfering with internal components like human detection sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single light emitting element is disposed on the back side of the display area, then the device structure is simple, but the entire display area cannot be illuminated when the element cannot be placed on the rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple segments (first and second light emitting elements) positioned at different locations. Each element illuminates a specific portion of the display area, and their combined effect achieves complete coverage without requiring a single element to be placed on the rear side.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination approach transitions from a single-point rear illumination to multi-point lateral illumination. By positioning light emitting elements on the side surfaces rather than the rear surface, the patent utilizes additional spatial dimensions to achieve comprehensive display area coverage.
2Illumination intensity
If the display area is secured at a specific location near the sheet discharge port, then user visibility from a distance is improved, but the light emitting element may not be disposed on the back side of the display area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the light emitting element on the rear side of the display area as conventionally done, the patent inverts the approach by positioning elements on the side surfaces. This inverted placement strategy enables illumination of the display area located near the sheet discharge port without interfering with internal components.
3Area of stationary object
If a wide display area is provided near the sheet discharge port, then remote user confirmation of apparatus state is enabled, but internal component layout prevents light emitting element placement on the back side
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member acts as an intermediary that transfers light from the laterally positioned emitting elements to the display area. This mediator enables illumination coverage of the entire wide display area without requiring direct rear-side element placement, effectively bridging the spatial gap created by internal component constraints.
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 configuration allows for a wider, brightly illuminated display area near the sheet discharge port, enhancing user visibility of the apparatus state, including sheet discharging status, even when the light emitting elements cannot be placed on the rear side of the display area, thereby improving remote recognition of the printer's status.
Implementation Method 1
the incident light is scattered over the entire area of the transparent resin to make the surface of the transparent resin bright
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display window, a light guide member, a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element. The display window is provided in a housing and is formed in a slit shape extending in a predetermined direction from one end side to the other end side. Thea light guide member is disposed in the display window. The first light emitting element faces one end portion of the light guide member on the one end side. The second light emitting element faces the other end portion of the light guide member on the other end side. A display area of the light guide member is exposed through the display window.