PoE Printing Interface for Single-Cable Power and Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing devices require multiple wirings for power and information supply, leading to increased complexity and installation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A printing system that integrates power and information transmission using a single cable conforming to Power over Ethernet (PoE) standards, allowing the printing device to receive both power and data through a single Ethernet cable, and also supplies power to external devices via USB cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate power supply wiring and information supply wiring are used, then reliable power and data transmission is achieved, but the number of wirings coupled to the printing device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and data transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of wirings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate power supply wiring and information supply wiring into a single integrated cable that transmits both power and data signals. This merging reduces the number of wirings coupled to the printing device from multiple separate connections to a single unified connection, directly resolving the technical contradiction between reliable transmission and reduced wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cable performs multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both a power supply conduit and an information transmission medium. This multi-functionality allows a single wiring to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated cables for power and data, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple wirings are coupled to the printing device, then sufficient power and information supply is ensured, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and information supply sufficiencyVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging power supply and information supply into a single integrated cable, the installation process is simplified from connecting multiple separate wires to connecting one unified cable. This directly addresses the installation ease issue while ensuring that both power and information supply requirements are met through the combined cable design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If separate cables are used for power and information, then transmission stability is maintained, but the number of cables increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoidnumber of cables

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate power and information cables into a single integrated cable system. This reduction in cable quantity from multiple separate cables to one unified cable directly resolves the contradiction, while the internal structure of the integrated cable maintains stable transmission characteristics for both power and data signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230382143A1Printing device and printing system

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing device includes a first coupling section to which a first cable configured to transmit information and transmit electric power is coupled and a printing section that executes print processing of forming an image based on information supplied from the first cable on a medium using electric power supplied from the first cable.