Portable Printer Connector Elastic Buffer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable printers face challenges in durability and reliability due to the transmission of external forces like twisting and drop impacts to the female-side connector, and alignment issues with other electronic components, which complicates design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An elastic connector cover with a buffer and regulation portion is used between the female-side connector and the casing, allowing for elastic support and reduced external force transmission, while also simplifying alignment by absorbing positional tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the female-side connector is fixed to the casing, then twisting force is prevented from being transmitted to the mounting portion, but drop impact is transmitted to the mounting portion through the casing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member as an intermediary component between the female-side connector and the casing. This elastic member absorbs and isolates external forces, preventing both twisting forces and drop impacts from being transmitted to the mounting portion between the female-side connector and the control board, thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing twisting force transmission and avoiding drop impact transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is positioned in advance between the female-side connector and the casing to provide cushioning protection. This beforehand cushioning mechanism absorbs external forces before they reach the mounting portion, preventing both twisting forces and drop impacts from causing damage to the connector mounting.
2Manufacturing precision
If the female-side connector is fixed to the casing, then positioning accuracy is improved, but alignment with other electronic components becomes difficult due to tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as a flexible intermediary that accommodates dimensional tolerances between the casing, control board, and female-side connector. By allowing elastic deformation, it absorbs alignment variations without requiring high-precision positioning, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing alignment complexity with other electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the intermediate member to change the rigidity parameter dynamically. During assembly, the elastic member deforms to accommodate tolerance variations, enabling easy alignment of the female-side connector with the connector opening while maintaining proper positioning relative to other components on the control board.
3Reliability
If the female-side connector is away from the casing with a guide member, then both twisting force and drop impact are reduced, but designability is lowered and structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a buffer against external forces (reducing twisting and impact), serves as a positioning element between the connector and casing, and eliminates the need for separate guide members. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity while maintaining protection from external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the guide member and the buffer into a single elastic member. By combining these previously separate components into one integrated element, the structure becomes simpler while still providing both guidance/positioning and shock absorption functions, thereby improving designability without compromising reliability.
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
This solution enhances the durability and reliability of portable printers by reducing twisting and drop impacts, simplifying design, and enabling cost-effective downsizing without compromising component alignment accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the connector opening and an outer peripheral surface of the female-side connector... the elastic member is arranged in the connector opening under a state of being elastically deformed
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable printer includes a casing (5) accommodating a printer module (2); a control board (51) accommodated in the casing (5) and electrically connected to the printer module (2); a female-side connector (75) mounted on the control board (51) and exposed to an outside of the casing (5) through a connector opening (31) formed in the casing (5), the female-side connector (75) detachably mounting a male-side connector; and an elastic member (100) interposed between an inner peripheral surface of the connector opening (31) and an outer peripheral surface of the female-side connector (75).