Dial Spring Member Assembly for Wobble-Free Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dial control panels in imaging and printing devices often exhibit horizontal or vertical wobble during rotation, leading to a poor user experience and perceived low build quality, making the devices less desirable to consumers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating spring members in the middle cover of the printing device that interface with the dial's inner channel, providing a constant force to prevent jitter and ensure smooth spinning, thereby enhancing user experience and product desirability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dial control panel is implemented in a printing device, then user input functionality is improved, but the dial exhibits horizontal or vertical wobble during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input functionalityVSAvoiddial rotation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Spring members are introduced as intermediary elements between the dial control panel and the middle cover. These spring members interface with the inner channel of the dial and provide a constant force that prevents jitter and wobble during rotation, while still allowing the dial to rotate freely for user input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the dial control panel is made rigid to prevent wobble, then rotation stability is improved, but the dial cannot rotate smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedial rotation stabilityVSAvoiddial rotation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring members provide a dynamic solution by offering a constant force that adapts to the dial's rotation. The springs allow the dial to rotate smoothly while simultaneously providing the necessary force to prevent wobble and jitter, achieving both stability and smoothness through elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The implementation of spring members in the dial control panel eliminates horizontal and vertical wobble, providing a solid and smooth rotation experience, which improves user satisfaction and perceived quality of the device.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating spring members in the middle cover of the printing device that interface with the dial's inner channel, providing a constant force to prevent jitter and ensure smooth spinning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11416018B1Spring members
Publication Date: 2022.08.16 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • US11416018B1 patent drawing
  • US11416018B1 patent drawing
  • US11416018B1 patent drawing

AI summary

In some examples, an apparatus can include a dial having a central axis and an inner channel defined by a first surface and a second surface, and a middle cover having a central axis, where the middle cover includes a first spring member and a second spring member, the first spring member and the second spring member are biased away from the central axis, and where when the dial is interfaced with the middle cover, the first spring member and the second spring member are to interface with the first surface and the second surface of the dial.