Barcode Scanner Cable Management via Internal Strain Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld barcode scanners face challenges with cable management, stability, and protection of electronic components due to protruding cables, which limit workspace and increase the risk of damage from bumps or spills.

Innovation Solution

A barcode scanner design with a scanner enclosure that includes an angled cutout for the communication cable, a strain relief member contained within the enclosure, and electronic components positioned to minimize damage, allowing for reduced footprint and improved handling and placement flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid or semi-rigid cable relief protrudes outwardly from the scanning device, then power and data transfer are enabled, but the overall footprint of the device on a work surface is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and data transferVSAvoidfootprint on work surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cable relief from the external environment and contains it within the device housing. The cable relief is positioned inside the housing rather than protruding outward, allowing the device to be placed flush against walls or other surfaces without the cable interfering with the placement or increasing the footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable relief is nested within the device housing, with the cable running through an opening in the housing and the relief structure contained inside. This nesting approach allows the cable management system to be integrated within the device boundaries rather than extending outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a cable protrudes from the scanning device, then power and communication are provided, but the cable impedes a user's ability to comfortably grasp the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and communicationVSAvoidgrasping comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable relief is extracted from the user's grasp area and positioned within the housing. The opening for the cable is located at a position that does not interfere with the user's hand placement or gripping motion, allowing comfortable operation without cable interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable opening is positioned on a surface of the housing that is oriented away from the user's natural grasping position. This spatial repositioning in another dimension allows the cable to protrude without impeding the user's ability to grasp the device comfortably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a cable protrudes from the scanning device, then power and data transfer are enabled, but the device becomes unstable if the cable is inadvertently bumped or jostled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and data transferVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cable relief structure provides strain relief that cushions the connection between the cable and the device. This pre-positioned cushioning mechanism protects against the effects of bumps or jostling before they can cause instability or damage to the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable relief is contained within the housing, isolating the cable connection from external disturbances. By taking the relief structure inside the housing, the system protects the connection point from being affected by external bumps or jostling that would otherwise cause instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are contained within the device, then functionality is provided, but the components are prone to damage via bumps and/or spills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddamage from bumps and spills

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions specific electronic components at locations within the housing that are less susceptible to damage from bumps and spills. By strategically placing components in protected areas of the housing, the system provides local protection without requiring a complete redesign of the internal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11797793B2Industrial digital barcode scanner

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A barcode scanner assembly for capturing at least one object appearing in a field of view (FOV) is provided that includes a scanner enclosure including a scanner enclosure body, a printed circuit board (PCB) at least partially disposed within the scanner enclosure, an imaging assembly coupled to the PCB, and a decode assembly positioned on the PCB. The scanner enclosure body has a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a front portion, and a rear portion opposite the front portion and further defines an internal cavity. The PCB is positioned substantially parallel to an outbound imaging axis.