Tiltable Panel Unit for Multifunction Printer Scanner Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multifunction recording apparatuses, the tiltable manipulation panel becomes difficult to use when the scanner unit is opened, as the panel surface is not easily visible, reducing user manipulability.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a rotatable scanner unit and a tiltable panel unit that switches between a restriction state and a rotation allowing state, and a posture holding unit that maintains the panel's visibility when the scanner unit is opened, ensuring good visibility and manipulability by allowing the scanner unit to open while the panel is tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the panel unit is tilted to improve visibility when the scanner unit is closed, then the manipulation surface is more visible, but the scanner unit cannot be opened
Solution Approach 1:
The panel unit's tilt angle is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit changes the tilt angle based on the scanner unit's state (closed or open), allowing the panel to be tilted for visibility when closed and flattened for accessibility when opened. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between visibility and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt angle parameter of the panel unit is changed based on operational conditions. When the scanner unit is closed, the panel is tilted at a larger angle for better visibility. When the scanner unit is opened, the panel angle is reduced to be more parallel to the document stand, improving user accessibility while maintaining visibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the panel unit is kept parallel to the document stand to allow scanner opening, then the scanner unit can be opened freely, but the panel surface becomes difficult to see when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The panel unit dynamically adjusts its tilt angle based on whether the scanner unit is closed or open. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize for visibility when closed and for accessibility when opened, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt angle parameter is adjusted based on operational state. When the scanner is closed, a larger tilt angle provides better visibility. When opened, the angle is reduced to improve accessibility, thus adapting to different operational requirements.
3Device complexity
If the panel unit is made fixed in position to simplify structure, then the structure is simpler, but the panel cannot adapt to different scanner states
Solution Approach 1:
The panel unit incorporates a tilt mechanism with a motor and control unit that enables dynamic angle adjustment. This adds complexity to the structure but provides the adaptability needed to optimize visibility and accessibility based on scanner unit state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes (tilt angle adjustment) to adapt the panel to different operational states. The control unit modifies the panel's physical state by changing its tilt angle, enabling adaptation without requiring completely separate structures for different modes.
4Ease of operation
If the panel unit is made tiltable to improve visibility, then the manipulation surface is more visible, but accidental scanner closure may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback about the scanner unit's state (open or closed) and automatically adjusts the panel tilt angle accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents accidental closure by ensuring the panel is in the appropriate position for each state, reducing the risk of unintended operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the panel's tilt angle parameter based on scanner state feedback. When the scanner is open, the panel angle is reduced for accessibility. When closed, the angle increases for visibility. This parameter adaptation enhances reliability by preventing accidental closure.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes: a restriction unit that is in a rotation allowing state in which opening of a scanner unit from a closed state is allowed when a panel unit is in a first posture and is in a restriction state in which opening of the scanner unit from the closed state is restricted when the panel unit is tilted from the first posture to a second posture; and a posture holding unit that is in a tiltable state in which the posture of the panel unit is tilted from the first posture to the second posture when the scanner unit is in a closed state and is in a posture holding state in which the posture of the panel unit is held in the first posture when the scanner unit is rotated from the closed state in an opening direction.