Printer Connector Arrangement Preventing USB Type-C Misinsertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing printing apparatuses with USB-Type-C interfaces face issues with incorrect insertion of USB-Type-C cables into receptacle connectors, leading to potential malfunctions and damage due to the similar shapes of USB-Type-C, USB-Type-A, and LAN connectors, making it difficult for users to visually distinguish between them, especially in fumbling situations.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus is designed with distinctively arranged USB-Type-C and LAN receptacle connectors on separate surfaces, preventing incorrect insertion by ensuring the USB-Type-C cable is physically inserted into the LAN receptacle connector and not the power supply connector, with the insertion ports positioned along different connector surfaces to avoid erroneous connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If USB-Type-C, USB-Type-A, and LAN receptacle connectors are arranged closely together on the same surface, then the device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but the likelihood of incorrect cable insertion increases due to similar connector shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the USB-Type-C receptacle connector from the same plane as other connectors to a different surface of the housing. Specifically, the USB-Type-C receptacle is arranged on the rear surface while USB-Type-A and LAN receptacles are on the side surface, creating spatial separation across different dimensions. This prevents incorrect insertion by making it physically impossible to insert a USB-Type-C cable into LAN or USB-Type-A connectors, thus resolving the contradiction between compact arrangement and insertion reliability.
2Ease of operation
If USB-Type-C receptacle connector is placed on the same surface as other connectors, then ease of operation is improved for users, but the risk of erroneous insertion into power supply or LAN connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the USB-Type-C receptacle connector from other connectors (USB-Type-A and LAN) onto different surfaces of the housing. The USB-Type-C receptacle is positioned on the rear surface while USB-Type-A and LAN receptacles are on the side surface, creating distinct operational zones. This spatial segmentation ensures that users can only insert USB-Type-C cables into the correct receptacle, eliminating the harmful effect of erroneous insertion while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive spatial separation.
3Manufacturing precision
If USB-Type-C and LAN receptacle connectors are arranged on the same connector surface, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the likelihood of plug insertion into wrong connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing dimensionality change - placing the USB-Type-C receptacle on the rear surface of the housing while positioning USB-Type-A and LAN receptacles on the side surface. This cross-surface arrangement reduces manufacturing precision requirements for connector positioning while ensuring connector compatibility, as the spatial separation across different surfaces makes it physically impossible to insert incompatible cables, thus eliminating erroneous insertion risks.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a printing section that performs printing on a medium; a control section that controls drive of the printing section; a power supply connector that supplies electric power to the control section; a first receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a first external device; and a second receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a second external device, a plug of a USB-Type-C cable is configured to be physically inserted into the second receptacle connector, the plug is configured not to be physically inserted into the power supply connector, an insertion port of the first receptacle connector is arranged along a first connector surface, and an insertion port of the second receptacle connector is arranged along a second connector surface.