Inkjet Printer Cover Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printer lock mechanisms require a padlock to regulate the opening movement of the cover, making them inconvenient to operate.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism with a displacement member that moves between locked and unlocked positions to engage or disengage with an engaging section on the openable cover, allowing for easy regulation of the cover's opening movement without the need for a padlock, and includes an attachment section for additional security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a padlock is used to lock the cover, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into a displacement member with multiple positions (locked, unlocked, and intermediate positions) rather than a single binary lock state. This allows the cover to be secured at different levels - fully locked when closed, or held open at intermediate positions - providing both security and operational flexibility without requiring a padlock.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement member is designed to be dynamically positionable along the opening movement direction of the cover. It can be displaced to different positions to regulate opening movement at different stages, transforming the static padlock system into a dynamic mechanism that adapts to different operational states (closed, partially open, fully open).
2Reliability
If a padlock is used to lock the containing member, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is merged with the cover assembly itself. The displacement member is integrated into the cover structure, and the engaging section is formed as part of the cover or its surrounding exterior part. This integration eliminates the need for separate padlock hardware while maintaining security functionality, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement member serves multiple functions: it locks the cover when closed, regulates opening movement at intermediate positions, and can be positioned to permit full opening when needed. This multi-functional component replaces the specialized padlock, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ink jet printer includes: a print section; a container that houses a print associated member; an insertion port into which the container is inserted; an openable cover that openably covers a front surface of the insertion port; and a lock mechanism that locks the openable cover. The lock mechanism includes a through hole provided in the openable cover, and a displacement member provided in a cover-adjacent portion and configured to move between a locked position in which it engages the through hole to regulate opening movement of the openable cover and an unlocked position in which it disengages from the through hole to permit opening movement of the openable cover.