Portable Printer Actuating Rod Mechanism for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable printers have large body dimensions, complex internal structures, and high production costs, making them inconvenient to carry and assemble, which hinders their competitiveness.
Innovation Solution
A compactly structured portable printer design featuring a base with a vertically oriented print head and paper feed roller, an actuating rod that pivots in response to the cover's opening and closing, and a torsion spring for force application, simplifying the assembly and reducing the number of transmission structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the printer is designed to be compact and portable, then the body dimensions are reduced, but the internal structure becomes overly complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover closing action with the print head actuation function. When the cover is closed, it directly drives the actuating rod to pivot, which simultaneously positions the print head closer to the paper feed roller. This integration eliminates the need for separate transmission structures, reducing internal complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary transmission structures from the internal mechanism. By using the cover's closing motion to directly actuate the print head through the actuating rod, the design removes intermediate transmission components that would otherwise be required, thereby simplifying the internal structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the printer is designed to be compact, then the body dimensions are reduced, but the production cost increases due to complex internal structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cover closing action: it secures the printer structure, actuates the print head position, and prepares the printing mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby lowering production costs despite the compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing unnecessary transmission structures and intermediate components, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This extraction of redundant elements directly lowers production costs while maintaining the compact body dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If the printer is designed to be compact, then the body dimensions are reduced, but the assembly process becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the print head actuation mechanism with the cover structure. The actuating rod is directly connected to the cover through the driving part and abutment part, so that closing the cover automatically positions the print head. This integration reduces the number of separate assembly operations required, making assembly easier despite the compact size.
4Reliability
If the printer uses fewer transmission structures, then the failure rate is reduced, but the paper feed mechanism may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission structures with a more reliable direct-actuation system. The cover closing motion directly pivots the actuating rod, which positions the print head without requiring intermediate transmission components. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure points while maintaining adequate paper feed capability through the simplified mechanism.
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 design results in a more portable, easily assembled printer with fewer transmission structures, lower failure rates, and increased paper capacity, reducing operational costs and improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The force-applying component is a torsion spring mounted on the pivot shaft, with at least one leg of the torsion spring connected to the actuating rod to apply force
Implementation Method 2
An elastic member is provided within the installation part to abut against the print head, exerting force on the print head towards the paper feed roller, allowing the gap between the print head and the paper feed roller to adapt to the thickness of the recording paper
Implementation Method 3
The paper feed roller rotates by gripping the recording paper between the paper feed roller and the print head, feeding the recording paper
Data Source
AI summary
A portable printer comprises a base and a cover covering the top of the base. A print head arranged in a vertical direction and a paper feed roller provided opposite to the print head are provided in the base. The paper feed roller rotates about a first axis. The paper feed roller conveys recording paper by rotating in the state that the recording paper is clamped between the paper feed roller and the print head. An actuating rod driving the print head to be close to or away from the paper feed roller in response to an opening/closing action of the cover is provided in the base. The actuating rod is configured to swing around a second axis parallel to the first axis, and is provided with an installation part suitable for mounting the print head and a drive part suitable for being driven by the cover.