Mobile Printer Battery Nesting in Media Roll Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile printers require separate space for batteries and media rolls, leading to size inefficiencies and user inconvenience with dual consumable management, and ambiguity in media loading.

Innovation Solution

Integrating batteries within the media roll's hollow core, allowing for side-loading and eliminating ambiguity through specific spindle and roll design, with an optional external battery accessory for increased print speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If batteries are housed separately from media roll, then batteries can be easily accessed and replaced, but printer size increases and space efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery accessibilityVSAvoidprinter size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places batteries inside the hollow core of the media roll, nesting one functional component within the structural framework of another. This allows the printer to maintain a compact form factor while still providing accessible battery storage space, as the batteries are contained within the existing media roll structure rather than requiring separate housing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If media roll and printer share same space, then printer size is minimized, but media loading ambiguity may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter sizeVSAvoidmedia loading clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric spindle design that fits into the media roll core, creating a unique geometric configuration. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the media roll can only be loaded into the printer in the correct orientation, as the spindle shape and positioning are designed to accommodate only the proper alignment, thereby eliminating loading ambiguity while maintaining compact printer dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Volume of moving object

If batteries are placed inside media roll core, then printer size is reduced, but print speed may be limited by battery capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter sizeVSAvoidprint speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic power configuration where the printer can operate with batteries housed within the media roll for compactness, but users can optionally attach an external battery pack to enhance power capacity and print speed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between two operational modes: compact mode with integrated batteries and high-performance mode with external battery attachment, giving users flexibility based on their specific needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9132677B2Mobile printer with optional battery accessory

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 INTERMEC IP CORP

AI summary

A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body typically has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll typically has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door typically allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is typically retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.