Printer Connector Cover Layout for Dust-Protected Cable Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers with multiple interface connectors face challenges in preventing dust and dirt entry due to uncovered opening portions for cables, requiring additional covers or complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a connector cover with multiple opening portions and coupling mechanisms that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring that only necessary openings are exposed during manufacturing, thereby preventing dust and dirt entry without additional covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple opening portions are formed in the connector cover for cable insertion, then cable connectivity is improved, but dust and dirt can enter through uncovered openings
Solution Approach 1:
The connector cover is segmented into multiple functional portions: a cover main body with multiple opening portions for different cable types, and separate opening cover portions that can be selectively attached to cover specific openings. This segmentation allows the same cover structure to serve multiple purposes - providing both cable access and dust protection as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening cover portions are designed to be movable and removable, transitioning between covering and uncovered states. This dynamic capability allows the connector cover to adapt its configuration based on which cables need to be inserted, maintaining dust protection for uncovered openings while enabling cable connectivity where needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional covers are provided for uncovered opening portions to prevent dust entry, then dust protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening cover portions serve multiple functions: they protect uncovered opening portions from dust and dirt, and can be removed to allow cable insertion. The same structural elements that form the openings also provide the mounting locations for these multi-functional cover portions, eliminating the need for completely separate protective components.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening cover portions are integrated with the cover main body through coupling portions, combining the protective function with the structural framework. This merging reduces the number of independent parts compared to providing completely separate protective covers for each opening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate covers are manufactured for different connector configurations, then connector compatibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover main body is pre-manufactured with all necessary opening portions for different connector types (power supply connector, interface connectors). The opening cover portions are pre-formed with coupling mechanisms. During assembly, these pre-prepared components are simply positioned and coupled together, eliminating the need to manufacture completely different cover variants for different connector configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes: a board including a connector unit that includes at least a power supply connector into which a power cable is to be removably inserted; and a housing including: a housing main body that accommodates the board and includes a cable connection groove through which the power cable is inserted in an inserting and removing direction of the power cable; and a connector cover configured to cover the cable connection groove, wherein the connector cover includes: a cover main body including a power supply opening portion passing through the cover main body in the inserting and removing direction, and a first interface opening portion passing through the cover main body in the inserting and removing direction; and a first opening cover portion configured to cover at least a part of the first interface opening portion, wherein the first opening cover portion includes a first coupling portion configured to couple the first opening cover portion and the cover main body to each other.