Printer Connector Cover for Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers often have connector openings that are prone to damage due to excessive load when users insert their fingers or hands into concave portions while lifting the device, causing cable and connector damage.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a housing with a connector cover that moves to cover the upper and lateral sides of the cable gripping portion, ensuring the cable is secured outside the opening and reducing the risk of damage by providing a larger opening dimension for easy cable insertion and a mechanism to prevent accidental closure during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening to the connector is provided at a concave portion having a face at the upper side, then the connector is accessible for cable connection, but the finger or hand of a user may touch the cable when lifting the printer, causing excessive load and potential damage to the cable and connector
Solution Approach 1:
A cable guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the connector opening and the cable gripping portion. This guide member extends from the opening into the concave portion, guiding the cable along a safe path that prevents user fingers from contacting the cable during lifting operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between accessibility and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide member utilizes the vertical dimension by extending downward from the opening into the concave portion. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a protective pathway that separates the cable from the hazardous lifting zone, maintaining connector accessibility while preventing cable damage
2Ease of operation
If the board is disposed at a position spaced apart from a back face of the housing, then the connector opening can be provided frontward from the back face, but the cable gripping portion may be located inside the opening, increasing the risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide member is pre-installed and positioned before cable connection occurs. It extends from the opening into the concave portion, establishing a protective pathway in advance that guides the cable away from hazardous areas during the subsequent cable connection and lifting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide member serves as a mediator between the connector opening and the cable gripping portion, creating a physical barrier and guidance path that prevents direct contact between user fingers and the cable during lifting, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining accessibility
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a board including a connector to which a cable is connected, and a housing covering the board and having an opening through which the connector is accessible, wherein a cable gripping portion that is gripped when the cable is connected is located outside the opening in a state where the cable is connected to the connector, and in which the housing includes a connector cover movable to a cover position at which the connector cover covers an upper side and a lateral side of the cable gripping portion, and an open position at which the connector cover opens at least on a vertical upper side of the cable gripping portion.