Carriage-Driven Openable Cover Mechanism for Compact Printers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing openable cover automatic opening mechanisms, such as those using solenoids, are costly and hinder space savings in printing devices.

Innovation Solution

A lever-based mechanism with a locking section and power receiving section, where the lever rotates upon contact with a carriage to release the closed state of the openable cover, utilizing the carriage's power and potentially the self-weight moment of the cover to open it, eliminating the need for additional power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a solenoid is used for automatic opening of the front cover, then the cover can be opened automatically, but the cost increases and space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic opening of coverVSAvoidcost and space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the printing device carrier and the power source for automatic cover opening. The carriage's movement and weight are utilized to trigger the lever mechanism that opens the cover, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated power source like a solenoid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the carriage's own weight and movement to automatically trigger the cover opening mechanism. When the carriage moves to a specific position, its weight activates the lever through gravitational force, and its movement provides the mechanical impulse to rotate the lever and release the locking section, making the system self-sufficient without external power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If a solenoid is used for automatic opening mechanism, then the cover opening function is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover opening functionVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic opening mechanism is merged with the existing carriage structure. The lever is positioned such that its power receiving section is contacted by the carriage, integrating the cover opening function into the carriage's movement path. This eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid component is completely removed from the system. Instead, the invention extracts and utilizes the carriage's weight and movement as the power source, replacing the solenoid's electromagnetic actuation with a purely mechanical solution that occupies less space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the lever mechanism is used to release the locking section, then the cover can be opened, but the risk of unintentional operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover openingVSAvoidunintentional operation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to ensure the cover is actually closed before activating the opening mechanism. The controller detects the cover's closed state and only then permits the lever mechanism to be activated by the carriage, preventing unintentional operation during other phases of the printing cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives feedback signals about the cover's state and the carriage's position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the lever mechanism is only activated when appropriate conditions are met (cover closed, carriage at correct position), preventing erroneous or unintentional cover opening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves cost reduction and space savings by utilizing the carriage's power and the cover's self-weight to open the cover, while enhancing usability through state detection and reducing the risk of unintentional operation.

Implementation Method 1

a lever (11) rotatable about a rotation fulcrum (9)... the lever (11) is rotated by the carriage contacting and pressing the power receiving section (17)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

the force in the opening direction is generated by a self weight moment toward an opening side of the openable cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250319711A1Openable cover automatic opening mechanism and printing device

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An openable cover automatic opening mechanism 3 includes a lever 11 rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 9, a locking section 13 that is positioned at one end of the lever 11 and that maintains the openable cover 11, which is in a closed state and which receives an opening force F, in the closed state by locking with the openable cover 11, and a power receiving section 17 positioned at the other end 8 of the lever 11 for contacting the horizontally moving carriage 15 to receive power of the carriage 15. The lever 11 rotates when the carriage 15 comes into contact with and presses the power receiving section 17, and releases maintenance of the closed state of the openable cover 5 by the locking section 13.