Unified Input Unit for Wireless and Wired Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses require separate input units for wireless and wired connections, increasing costs and complicating the arrangement due to limited space on the electric board.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a wireless communication device, an input unit, and a connector storage portion, where the wireless connection port, wired connection port, and connector storage are concentrated in one location, allowing for selective use of wireless or wired connections without the need for dedicated input units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate input units are provided for wireless and wired connections, then connection functionality is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input unit is designed to serve multiple connection types through a single unified structure. The wireless communication device can be connected via wireless mode, and the same input unit can also accept wired connections through the connector storage portion and connection port, eliminating the need for separate dedicated input units for each connection type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the wireless communication device and wired connection capabilities into a single integrated input unit. The connector storage portion stores the wireless connector when not in use, and both wireless and wired connection ports are integrated into one location, merging previously separate input units into a unified structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate input units are provided for wireless and wired connections, then connection functionality is improved, but arrangement difficulty increases due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless communication device and wired connection capabilities into a single integrated input unit located at one position on the electric board. The connector storage portion is integrated into this unified structure, eliminating the need to arrange separate input units for wireless and wired connections, thus simplifying the layout and reducing space requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless communication device is always connected, then wireless connection availability is improved, but connector storage space is required when not used
Solution Approach 1:
The connector storage portion is designed to nest the wireless communication device connector when it is not in use. The storage portion is integrated into the input unit structure, allowing the connector to be stored within the same location where the wireless communication device is mounted, eliminating the need for separate external storage space.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for receiving a printing instruction of image data and forming an image according to the printing instruction includes a wireless communication device, an input unit, and a connector storage portion. The wireless communication device is disposed at a body of the image forming apparatus and has a cable and an output connector. The input unit has a wireless connection port to connect the output connector via the cable and a wired connection port to connect a wired cable from an external device. The input unit receives a printing instruction from any one of the wireless connection port and the wired connection port. The connector storage portion stores the output connector removed from the wireless connection port when the wireless communication device is not used. The connector storage portion, the wireless connection port, and the wired connection port are concentrated in one location.