Printer Battery Load Control for State-of-Charge Power Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable printers face challenges in providing high-quality, durable labels and tags in diverse environments and applications, such as retail stores, oil fields, and military settings, while also being affordable and easy to use, due to varying conditions like extreme temperatures and hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A portable printer design with a ribbon cartridge retaining feature that allows easy access and secure installation, a media cover with electromagnetic shielding, and a compact configuration for RFID encoding and reading, along with features like ribbon guiding and media alignment, to ensure reliable operation in different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the printer is made portable with battery power, then mobility and ease of deployment are improved, but the battery may not provide sufficient power for continuous high-quality printing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements load control that dynamically adjusts printing parameters (such as print quality, speed, and power consumption) based on the battery's state of charge. When battery power is sufficient, the system operates at full capability; when power is limited, the system automatically reduces power consumption to extend operational time, resolving the contradiction between portability and power capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printer operates in extreme temperatures and hazardous environments, then adaptability to diverse applications is improved, but reliability of printing operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements load control that proactively monitors environmental conditions and battery state of charge, taking preventive action before printing operations fail. By predicting power requirements based on temperature, humidity, and print workload, the system adjusts parameters in advance to ensure reliable operation across diverse environments, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the printer provides high-quality durable labels, then print quality is improved, but power consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts printing parameters such as dot density, print speed, and ribbon tension based on the battery's state of charge and environmental conditions. When power is abundant, the system produces high-quality durable labels; when power is limited, it reduces print quality parameters to conserve energy, resolving the contradiction between print quality and power consumption.
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 printer provides efficient and high-quality printing in various environments, ensuring durability and ease of use with accessible ribbon replacement and media alignment, while maintaining compactness for portability and affordability.
Implementation Method 1
a media cover with electromagnetic shielding
Data Source
AI summary
An example of the disclosed printer including a load controller in communication with a processor and a smart battery. The processor communicates with the smart battery via a message requesting a state of charge value for the battery and receives a response message from the battery that includes a representation of the state of charge value. Upon receipt of the state of charge value, the processor determines a relationship between the state of charge value and a state of charge threshold, and transmits a signal to the load controller to change an operating state of the battery when the state of charge value is beyond the state of charge threshold.