U.S. patent application number 11/374081 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for operation panel, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic control apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kenichi Kimura.
Application Number | 20060226745 11/374081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36424058 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060226745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kimura; Kenichi |
October 12, 2006 |
Operation panel, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic
control apparatus
Abstract
An operation panel 40 is prepared in the following manner.
First, components are mounted in mounting holes 14a, 14c to 14e,
and 14g to 14o of a base member 12, and other mounting holes 14b,
14f, 14p, and 14q are left vacant without mounting components
therein. Next, a plate member 26 that is provided with exposing
holes 20a, 20c to 20e, 20g to 20o to expose components outside at
positions opposed to the mounting holes 14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to
14o in which the components have been mounted and is provided with
no exposing holes at positions opposed to vacant mounting holes
14b, 14f, 14p, and 14q is prepared. The plate member 26 is
integrated with the base member 12 by covering a component mounting
surface 14 with the plate member 26 and fitting respective hooks 24
into respective hook latching holes 16.
Inventors: |
Kimura; Kenichi;
(Nagano-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
36424058 |
Appl. No.: |
11/374081 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/293.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0094 20130101;
H05K 5/0017 20130101; H04N 1/00496 20130101; G03G 15/5016 20130101;
H04N 1/00384 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/293.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 47/00 20060101
A47B047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2005 |
JP |
2005-071793 |
Jan 5, 2006 |
JP |
2006-000812 |
Claims
1. An operation panel that is used when operating an electronic
control apparatus, comprising: a base member that has first
component mounting holes capable of mounting components to be
exposed on an outer surface of the panel out of components used for
a setting or operation of a basic function and second component
mounting holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on the
outer surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of an optional function added to the basic function; and
a plate member that is integrated with the base member so as to
cover an operating surface side of the base member and is provided
with exposing holes at least at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes.
2. The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein the plate
member is selected from a basic function-compliant plate member
having exposing holes only at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and an optional function-compliant plate
member having exposing holes both at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and at positions opposed to the second
component mounting holes.
3. An operation panel that is used when operating an electronic
control apparatus, comprising: a base member that has a component
mounting surface provided with a plurality of mounting holes for
mounting all types of components, where components have been
mounted in some of the plurality of mounting holes; and a plate
member that is integrated with the base member so as to cover the
component mounting surface and is provided with exposing holes to
expose the components outside at positions opposed to mounting
holes in which the components have been mounted.
4. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the plate
member is selected from an all component-compliant plate provided
with the exposing holes at positions opposed to each of the
mounting holes and a partial component-compliant plate provided
with the exposing holes at positions opposed to some of the
plurality of mounting holes.
5. The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein the plate
member is formed in a plate-like shape, and the base member is
thicker than the plate member.
6. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the plate
member is formed in a plate-like shape, and the base member is
thicker than the plate member.
7. The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein the plate
member and the base member are mold products.
8. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the plate
member and the base member are mold products.
9. The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein the base
member has cutout grooves at peripheral portion, and the plate
member has fitting projections that are fitted into the cutout
grooves when being integrated with the base member.
10. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the base
member has cutout grooves at peripheral portion, and the plate
member has fitting projections that are fitted into the cutout
grooves when being integrated with the base member.
11. The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein information
concerning components exposed from the exposing holes is printed in
the vicinity of the exposing holes of the plate member.
12. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein information
concerning components exposed from the exposing holes is printed in
the vicinity of the exposing holes of the plate member.
13. An electronic control apparatus that includes an operation
panel comprising: a base member that has first component mounting
holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on an outer
surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of a basic function and second component mounting holes
capable of mounting components to be exposed on the outer surface
of the panel out of components used for a setting or operation of
an optional function added to the basic function; and a plate
member that is integrated with the base member so as to cover an
operating surface side of the base member and is provided with
exposing holes at least at positions opposed to the first component
mounting holes.
14. An electronic control apparatus that includes an operation
panel comprising: a base member that has a component mounting
surface provided with a plurality of mounting holes for mounting
all types of components, where components have been mounted in some
of the plurality of mounting holes; and a plate member that is
integrated with the base member so as to cover the component
mounting surface and is provided with exposing holes to expose the
components outside at positions opposed to mounting holes in which
the components have been mounted.
15. A manufacturing method for an operation panel to be fitted to a
chassis of an electronic control apparatus, comprising the steps
of: (a) preparing a base member that has first component mounting
holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on an outer
surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of a basic function and second component mounting holes
capable of mounting components to be exposed on the outer surface
of the panel out of components used for a setting or operation of
an optional function added to the basic function, and mounting
components in only the first component mounting holes or mounting
components in both the first and second component mounting holes;
and (b) selecting either plate member according to the components
mounted in the step (a) of a basic function-compliant plate member
having exposing holes only at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and an optional function-compliant plate
member having exposing holes both at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and at the positions opposed to the second
component mounting holes, and covering an operating surface side of
the base member with the selected plate member so as to integrate
the plate member with the base member.
16. A manufacturing method for an operation panel to be fitted to a
chassis of an electronic control apparatus, comprising the steps
of: (a) preparing a base member that has a component mounting
surface provided with a plurality of mounting holes for mounting
all types of components, and mounting components in all or some of
the plurality of mounting holes; and (b) preparing a plate member
that is provided with exposing holes to expose the components
outside at positions opposed to mounting holes in which the
components have been mounted and is provided with no exposing holes
at positions opposed to vacant mounting holes, and covering the
component mounting surface with the plate member so as to integrate
the plate member with the base member.
Description
BACKGROUND ART
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an operation panel fitted
to an electronic control apparatus, a manufacturing method of the
same, and an electronic control apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventionally, operation panels fitted to electronic
control apparatuses such as printers and faxes have been known.
Although such operation panels are often provided with a large
number of switches, some users may use only specific switches of
these. Therefore, in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2003-298791, a mask cover has been proposed, in
which cut-away work parts are provided at the positions
corresponding to respective switches, and the cut-away work parts
are cut away only at the positions corresponding to switches the
user uses to expose the switches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The technique disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined
Patent Application No. 2003-298791 is on the premise that a large
number of switches are provided on an operation panel, and only
switches the user uses are exposed. However, there is a problem in
that a larger number of switches than necessary have been provided
on the operation panel in the first place. Accordingly, although it
is preferable to provide a wide variation of operation panels such
as operation panels with a few switches and operation panels with
many switches to allow a user to select an operation panel he/she
wants, there is a problem in ballooning manufacturing costs since
multiple types of operation panels must be prepared in that
case.
[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem,
and an object thereof is to provide an operation panel that allows
manufacturing multiple types at a low cost and a manufacturing
method thereof. Moreover, an object is to provide an electronic
control apparatus having such an operation panel.
[0007] In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present
invention has employed the following means.
[0008] The present invention is directed to a first operation panel
that is used when operating an electronic control apparatus, and
includes: a base member that has first component mounting holes
capable of mounting components to be exposed on an outer surface of
the panel out of components used for a setting or operation of a
basic function and second component mounting holes capable of
mounting components to be exposed on the outer surface of the panel
out of components used for a setting or operation of an optional
function added to the basic function; and a plate member that is
integrated with the base member so as to cover an operating surface
side of the base member and is provided with exposing holes at
least at positions opposed to the first component mounting
holes.
[0009] In the first operation panel according to the present
invention, the base member has the first component mounting holes
capable of mounting components to be exposed on an outer surface of
the panel out of components used for a setting or operation of a
basic function and the second component mounting holes capable of
mounting components to be exposed on the outer surface of the panel
out of components used for a setting or operation of an optional
function added to the basic function. It is possible to mount
components in both the first and second component mounting holes as
well as to mount components in only the first component mounting
holes. In case where components have been mounted in both first and
second component mounting holes of the base member, the base member
can be integrated with the plate member that is provided with
exposing holes both at positions opposed to the first component
mounting holes and at positions opposed to the second component
mounting holes. In case where components have been mounted in only
the first component mounting holes of the base member, on the other
hand, the base member can be integrated with the plate member that
is provided with exposing holes only at positions opposed to the
first component mounting holes with the base member. As such, it is
sufficient to exchange only the plate member while using the base
member in common when manufacturing multiple types of operation
panels, and thus manufacturing costs can be kept low.
[0010] Here, as the "basic function" and the "optional function,"
it may be possible to provide the basic function as a print
function, and the optional function as at least one of a copy
function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, otherwise
to provide the basic function as a print function, a copy function,
and a scanner function, and the optional function as a facsimile
function, or provide the basic function as a monochrome printing
function, and the optional function as a color printing
function.
[0011] In the first operation panel of the invention, the plate
member may be selected from a basic function-compliant plate member
having exposing holes only at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and an optional function-compliant plate
member having exposing holes both at positions opposed to the first
component mounting holes and at positions opposed to the second
component mounting holes. The selection either the basic
function-compliant plate or the optional function-compliant plate
allows for manufacture of multiple types of operation panels.
[0012] The present invention is also directed to a second operation
panel that is used when operating an electronic control apparatus,
and includes: a base member that has a component mounting surface
provided with a plurality of mounting holes for mounting all types
of components, where components have been mounted in some of the
plurality of mounting holes; and a plate member that is integrated
with the base member so as to cover the component mounting surface
and is provided with exposing holes to expose the components
outside at positions opposed to mounting holes in which the
components have been mounted.
[0013] In the second operation panel according to the present
invention, the base member has the plurality of mounting holes for
mounting all types of components are. It is possible to mount all
types of components as well as to mount only some of all types of
components. In case where components have been mounted in all
mounting holes of the base member, the base member is integrated
with the plate member that is provided with exposing holes at
positions opposed to all mounting holes. In case where components
have been mounted in some of the mounting holes of the base member,
on the other hand, the base member is integrated with the plate
member that is provided with exposing holes at positions opposed to
some of the component mounting holes. As such, it is sufficient to
exchange only the plate member while using the base member in
common when manufacturing multiple types of operation panels, and
thus manufacturing costs can be kept low.
[0014] Here, the "all types of components" mean all types of
components that are used to realize a plurality of predetermined
functions and exposed on the outer surface of the panel. Moreover,
the "component mounting surface" means a surface of the base member
where a plurality of mounting holes for mounting components are
opened.
[0015] In the second operation panel of the invention, the plate
member may be selected from an all component-compliant plate
provided with the exposing holes at positions opposed to each of
the mounting holes and a partial component-compliant plate provided
with the exposing holes at positions opposed to some of the
plurality of mounting holes. The selection either the basic
function-compliant plate or the optional function-compliant plate
allows for manufacture of multiple types of operation panels.
[0016] In the first and second operation panels of the invention,
the plate member may be formed in a plate-like shape, and the base
member may be thicker than the plate member. In this case, it is
relatively easy even to prepare multiple types since the plate
member has a plate-like shape, whereas since the base member is
thick, it is highly significant to provide it as a common component
as the cost easily rises when multiple types are prepared. This is
more prominent in the case of molding by a metal mold.
[0017] In the first and second operation panels of the invention,
the base member may have cutout grooves at peripheral portions, and
the plate member may have fitting projections that are fitted into
the cutout grooves when being integrated with the base member. This
structure prevents the plate member from coming off from the base
member by holding down the plate member by holding members from the
upside of the fitting projections when the operation panel of
invention is fitted to an electronic control apparatus.
[0018] In the first and second operation panels of the invention,
information concerning components exposed from the exposing holes
may be printed in the vicinity of the exposing holes of the plate
member. Thus, a user is allowed to easily know the information
concerning the exposed components without depending on an
instruction manual or the like. When the plate member is formed in
a plate-like shape, such printing of information can be easily
carried out. Here, the information concerning components is
information that represents, for example, names and functions of
components, and it may be letters as well as symbols/graphics that
mean something. In the case of letters, it may be carried out in
various languages.
[0019] The present invention is also directed to an electronic
control apparatus including any of the above-described operation
panels of the invention. As for the operation panel of the
invention, it is sufficient to exchange only the plate member while
using the base member in common, so as to manufacture multiple
types of operation panels, keeping manufacturing costs low. As for
the electronic control apparatus employing the operation panel, it
is accordingly possible to keep manufacturing cost low, and thus
the cost of the electronic control apparatus as a whole can be
lowered. The electronic control apparatus, though not particularly
limited, may be a printer, a fax, a copier, a scanner, and a
multifunction device provided with functions of two or more of
these.
[0020] The present invention is further directed to a first
manufacturing method for an operation panel to be fitted to a
chassis of an electronic control apparatus. The first manufacturing
method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a base member that has
first component mounting holes capable of mounting components to be
exposed on an outer surface of the panel out of components used for
a setting or operation of a basic function and second component
mounting holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on the
outer surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of an optional function added to the basic function, and
mounting components in only the first component mounting holes or
mounting components in both the first and second component mounting
holes; and (b) selecting either plate member according to the
components mounted in the step (a) of a basic function-compliant
plate member having exposing holes only at positions opposed to the
first component mounting holes and an optional function-compliant
plate member having exposing holes both at positions opposed to the
first component mounting holes and at the positions opposed to the
second component mounting holes, and covering an operating surface
side of the base member with the selected plate member so as to
integrate the plate member with the base member.
[0021] The first manufacturing method for an operation panel of the
invention prepares the base member that has the first component
mounting holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on an
outer surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of a basic function and the second component mounting
holes capable of mounting components to be exposed on the outer
surface of the panel out of components used for a setting or
operation of an optional function added to the basic function. It
is possible to mount components in both the first and second
component mounting holes as well as to mount components in only the
first component mounting holes. In case where components have been
mounted in both first and second component mounting holes of the
base member, the base member can be integrated with the plate
member that is provided with exposing holes both at positions
opposed to the first component mounting holes and at positions
opposed to the second component mounting holes. In case where
components have been mounted in only the first component mounting
holes of the base member, on the other hand, the base member can be
integrated with the plate member that is provided with exposing
holes only at positions opposed to the first component mounting
holes with the base member. As such, it is sufficient to exchange
only the plate member while using the base member in common when
manufacturing multiple types of operation panels, and thus
manufacturing costs can be kept low.
[0022] The present invention is further directed to a second
manufacturing method for an operation panel to be fitted to a
chassis of an electronic control apparatus. The second
manufacturing method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a base
member that has a component mounting surface provided with a
plurality of mounting holes for mounting all types of components,
and mounting components in all or some of the plurality of mounting
holes; and (b) preparing a plate member that is provided with
exposing holes to expose the components outside at positions
opposed to mounting holes in which the components have been mounted
and is provided with no exposing holes at positions opposed to
vacant mounting holes, and covering the component mounting surface
with the plate member so as to integrate the plate member with the
base member.
[0023] The second manufacturing method for an operation panel of
the invention prepares the base member that has the plurality of
mounting holes for mounting all types of components are. It is
possible to mount all types of components as well as to mount only
some of all types of components. In case where components have been
mounted in all mounting holes of the base member, the base member
is integrated with the plate member that is provided with exposing
holes at positions opposed to all mounting holes. In case where
components have been mounted in some of the mounting holes of the
base member, on the other hand, the base member is integrated with
the plate member that is provided with exposing holes at positions
opposed to some of the component mounting holes. As such, it is
sufficient to exchange only the plate member while using the base
member in common when manufacturing multiple types of operation
panels, and thus manufacturing costs can be kept low.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a full-featured
multifunction device.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly drawing of an operation
panel for a full-featured multifunction device.
[0026] FIG. 3 are sectional views showing conditions before and
after hooks are inserted into hook latching holes.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a multifunction
device with a simplified function.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly drawing of an operation
panel for a multifunction device with a simplified function.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] First, a full-featured multifunction device 30 will be
described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the
multifunction device 30, and FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly
drawing of an operation panel 10 for the multifunction device 30.
The operation panel 10 is, as shown in FIG. 1, to be fitted to the
multifunction device 30 provided with a plurality of predetermined
functions as a scanner, a printer, a copier, and a fax. The
operation panel 10 is formed by integrating a resin-made thick base
member 12 molded by a metal mold with a resin-made plate-like
thin-walled plate member 20 similarly molded by a metal mold, as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] The base member 12 is provided with a plurality of holes 14a
to 14q for mounting all types of components used to realize the
functions described above and exposed on the outer surface of the
panel. A component mounting surface 14 of the base member 12 is a
surface where the respective mounting holes 14a to 14q are opened
and a surface on the side to be operated by a user. The component
mounting surface 14 includes, on the left side of the surface, a
copy button mounting hole 14a for mounting a copy button that is
depressed to execute copying, a fax button mounting hole 14b for
mounting a fax button that is depressed to send a fax, a scanner
button mounting hole 14c for mounting a scanner button that is
depressed to scan an image with a scanner, and a setting button
mounting hole 14d for mounting a various setting button which is
depressed to perform various setting operations, as well as lamp
mounting holes 14e for mounting various indicator lamps, dial
mounting holes 14f for mounting one-touch dials, and a speaker
mounting hole 14g for mounting a speaker. The component mounting
surface 14 also includes, at about the center of the surface, a
display mounting hole 14h for mounting a display that is capable of
displaying various types of information. The component mounting
surface 14 further includes, on the right side of the surface, an
up, down, left, right key mounting hole 14i for mounting up, down,
left, and right keys for selecting contents displayed on the
display, an extension button mounting hole 14j for mounting an
extension button that is depressed to extend a menu displayed on
the display, a reset button mounting hole 14k for mounting a reset
button that is depressed to reset set contents, a monochrome start
button mounting hole 14l for mounting a monochrome start button
that is depressed to instruct to start operation in monochrome, a
color start button mounting hole 14m for mounting a color start
button that is depressed to instruct to start operation in color,
and a stop button mounting hole 14n for mounting a stop button that
is depressed to instruct to stop operation, as well as a numeric
keypad mounting hole 14o for mounting a numeric keypad, an
abbreviation button mounting hole 14p for mounting an abbreviation
button that is depressed to call up abbreviated dialing numbers of
the fax, and a redial button mounting hole 14q for mounting a
redial button that is depressed to instruct the fax to redial. The
component mounting surface 14 has a plurality of hook latching
holes 16 that are formed along the circumference of the surface.
Here, components are mounted in all of the respective mounting
holes 14a to 14q. Although not illustrated, these components are
fixed to the rear side of the component mounting surface 14 and are
exposed from the respective mounting holes 14a to 14q.
[0031] On the rear side of the component mounting surface of the
base member 12, a peripheral wall portion 18 is built so as to
surround the circumference. The peripheral wall portion 18 plays
not only a role to protect the components mounted in the respective
mounting holes 14a to 14q and enhance strength of the operation
panel 10 but also a role as a base when fitted to a chassis of the
multifunction device 30. In addition, at both left and right sides
of the component mounting surface 14, cutout grooves 19 cut out in
rectangular forms are formed.
[0032] The plate member 20 is formed in a size to cover the
component mounting surface 14 of the base member 12, and has
exposing holes 20a to 20q to expose the respective components
outside at positions opposed to all mounting holes 14a to 14q. Of
these exposing holes 20a to 20q, the exposing holes 20f provided at
positions opposed to the lamp mounting holes 14e have lenses fitted
therein, though not illustrated, and the exposing hole 20g provided
at a position corresponding to the speaker mounting hole 14g is
formed as a group of pores. The plate member 20 has fitting
projections 22 to be fitted with the cutout grooves 19 on the
component mounting surface 14 at both left and right sides. The
plate member 20 also has a plurality of hooks 24 along the
circumference of the rear surface, and when the plate member 20 is
integrated with the base member 12, these hooks 24 are latched and
held on hook latching holes 16 formed on the component mounting
surface 14. Conditions before and after the hooks 24 are inserted
into the hook latching holes 16 are shown in FIG. 3.
[0033] Next, procedures for assembling the operation panel 10 will
be described. The base member 12 is first prepared, and components
are mounted in all mounting holes 14a to 14q of this base member
12. Next, the plate member 20 provided with the exposing holes 20a
to 20q to expose components outside at positions opposed to the
mounting holes 14a to 14q in which the components have been mounted
is prepared, and the plate member 20 is integrated with the base
member 12 by covering the component mounting surface 14 with the
plate member 20 and fitting the respective hooks 24 into the
respective hook latching holes 16. When the plate member 20 is
integrated with the base member 12, the fitting projections 22 and
22 of the plate member 20 are fitted into the cutout grooves 19 of
the component mounting surface 14. In this condition, when the
fitting projections 22 and 22 are held down by holding members 28
from the upside, it becomes possible to fix the plate member 20 so
as not to come off the base member 12.
[0034] Next, a multifunction device 60 with a simplified function
will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the
multifunction device 60, and FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly
drawing of an operation panel 40 for the multifunction device 60.
The operation panel 40 is, as shown in FIG. 4, to be fitted to the
multifunction device 60 provided with respective functions as a
scanner, a printer, and a copier, that is, the multifunction device
60 in which a facsimile function has been omitted. The operation
panel 40 is formed by integrating a resin-made thick base member 12
molded by a metal mold with a resin-made plate-like thin-walled
plate member 26 similarly molded by a metal mold, as shown in FIG.
4.
[0035] Since the base member 12 is a member common to that used in
the foregoing operation panel 10, here the same symbols are used
for the same elements and description thereof will be omitted.
However, instead of mounting components in all fitting holes 14a to
14q, components related to the facsimile function are not mounted.
In other words, one-touch dial buttons, a fax button, a speaker, an
abbreviation button, and a redial button are not mounted in the
dial mounting holes 14f, fax button mounting hole 14b, speaker
mounting hole 14g, abbreviation button mounting hole 14p, and
redial button mounting hole 14q, respectively.
[0036] Since the plate member 26 is the same in construction as the
foregoing plate member 20 except for that the number of exposing
holes is different, the same symbols are used for the same elements
and description thereof will be omitted. In the plate member 26,
the exposing holes 20a, 20c to 20e, and 20h to 20o to expose
respective components outside are provided at positions opposed to
the mounting holes 14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to 14o in which the
components have been mounted. Here, since integration of the plate
member 26 with the base member 12 is the same as the integration of
the plate member 20 with the base member 12, description thereof
will be omitted.
[0037] Next, procedures for assembling the operation panel 40 will
be described. The base member 12 is first prepared, components are
mounted in mounting holes 14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to 14o of the
base member 12, and other mounting holes 14b, 14f, 14p, and 14q are
left vacant without mounting components therein. Next, the plate
member 26 provided with the exposing holes 20a, 20c to 20e, 20g to
20o to expose components outside at positions opposed to the
mounting holes 14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to 14o in which the
components have been mounted is prepared, and the plate member 26
is integrated with the base member 12 by covering the component
mounting surface 14 with the plate member 26 and fitting the
respective hooks 24 into the respective hook latching holes 16.
When the plate member 26 is integrated with the base member 12, the
fitting projections 22 and 22 of the plate member 20 are fitted
into the cutout grooves 19 and 19 of the component mounting surface
14. In this condition, when the fitting projections 22 and 22 are
held down by holding members 28 from the upside, it becomes
possible to fix the plate member 26 so as not to come off the base
member 12.
[0038] According to the embodiment described above in detail, when
components have been mounted in all mounting holes 14a to 14q of
the base member 12, the plate member 20 provided with the exposing
holes 20a to 20q at positions opposed to all mounting holes 14a to
14q is integrated with the base member 12 as in the operation panel
10, and when components have been mounted in some mounting holes
14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to 14o of the base member 12, the plate
member 26 provided with the exposing holes 20a, 20c to 20e, and 20g
to 20o at positions opposed to 14a, 14c to 14e, and 14g to 14o is
integrated with the base member 12 as in the operation panel 40.
The above constructions of the operation panel 10 and the operation
panel 40 have the base member 12 in common, and it requires
exchange of only the plate member provides to prepare the operation
panel 10 and the operation panel 40. Thus, manufacturing costs of
the operation panel can be kept low.
[0039] The plate member 20 is an all component-compliant plate
(optional function-compliant plate) provided with the exposing
holes 20a to 20q at positions opposed to each of the mounting holes
14a and 14q, while the plate member 26 is a partial
component-compliant plate (basic function-compliant plate) provided
with exposing holes at positions opposed to some of the plurality
of mounting holes 14a to 14q. It becomes possible to manufacture
multiple types of operation panels 10 and 40 by only selecting
either of these.
[0040] It is relatively easy to manufacture multiple types of plate
members since the plate members 20 and 26 have plate-like forms,
and, on the other hand, it costs more to manufacture multiple types
of base member 12, which is thick. It is significant to provide the
base member 12 as a common component. This is more prominent in the
case of molding by a metal mold.
[0041] The base material 12 has the cutout grooves 19 at its
peripheral edges and the plate members 20 and 26 have fitting
projections 22 that are fitted into the cutout grooves 19 when
being integrated with the base member 12. When the operation panels
10 and 40 are mounted on the multifunction devices 30 and 60, the
plate members 20 and 26 can be prevented from coming off from the
base member 12 by holding down the plate members 20 and 26 by the
holding members 28 from the upside of the fitting projections
22.
[0042] The above embodiment is be considered in all aspects as
illustrative and not restrictive. There may be many modifications,
changes, and alterations without departing from the scope or spirit
of the main characteristics of the present invention.
[0043] In the above embodiment, a description has been given of the
operation panel 10 used for the multifunction device 30 and the
operation panel 40 used for the multifunction device 60. It may
also be possible to manufacture of operation panels of
single-function printers, faxes, and scanners by using the base
member 12 as a common component and plate members as different
components, and integrating both.
[0044] It may be possible to print names or icons of buttons and
the like exposed from the respective exposing holes, in the
vicinity of the exposing holes of the plate members 20 and 26. Even
in the case of such printing, printing can be easily carried out
since the plate members 20 and 26 are thinner-walled than the base
member 12. Here, a language suitable for the country in which the
device is soled may be employed for the names.
[0045] With respect to the plate members 20 and 26 of the
above-described embodiment, it may be possible to manufacture types
with different colors and types with different patterns. This
allows selection of an operation panel with a color or pattern
according to the user's taste.
[0046] In the above embodiment, a description has been given on the
assumption that the three functions as a scanner, a printer, and a
copier on the multifunction device 60 are equivalent to the basic
function and the facsimile function on the multifunction device 30
is equivalent to the optional function. It may be possible to
provide the basic function as at least one of the functions as a
scanner, a copier, and a fax, or to provide the basic function as a
monochrome printing function, and the optional function, as a color
printing function.
[0047] The present invention claims the benefit of priority from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-071973 filed on Mar. 14, 2005;
and Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-000812 filed on Jan. 5,
2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
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