Adjustable Touch Panel Angle for Image Forming Operation Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large-size image forming systems, the operation unit's display is not easily viewable from various viewpoints due to its fixed angle, making it cumbersome for users to operate multiple connected apparatuses without frequent movement.
Innovation Solution
The operation unit's display panel is designed to be adjustable within an inclination angle of 5 degrees to 45 degrees relative to the housing top face, allowing easy viewing from both high and low viewpoints and enhancing user operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the operation unit is fixed on the image forming apparatus, then the structure is simple, but the user must move between optional apparatuses and the operation unit which is troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit is designed with multi-functionality by enabling it to be freely placed on various housings within the image forming system (image forming apparatus, sheet feeding unit, conveyance unit, or post-processing unit). This universal placement capability allows users to operate the operation unit at the same location regardless of which optional apparatus they are using, eliminating the need to move between devices while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a housing having a top face, an operation unit freely placed on the housing top face, a touch panel, and a supporting base. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit is freely placed on the housing top face and accepts a user operation for causing the image forming unit to execute image formation. The operation unit includes a touch panel having a display face on which information about the image formation is displayed and accepting touch operation performed by a user. The supporting base supports the touch panel so that an inclination angle of the display face inclined with respect to the housing top face becomes one of 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less when the operation unit is placed on the housing top face.