Printer Cover Gap Sealing via Segmented Hinge Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Printers are prone to malfunction when liquid spills onto the opening/closing cover, as it can flow into the device through gaps between the cover and the outer case, causing internal components to be damaged.

Innovation Solution

A printing device design featuring a first cover that can be opened or closed, an opening/closing mechanism with a second cover to seal the gap between the case and the first cover, and rotation shafts to facilitate the movement, including a joint member that absorbs and directs any spilled liquid away from critical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple opening/closing cover is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but liquid can flow into the printer through the gap between the cover and outer case causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover structureVSAvoidliquid protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover structure is divided into two separate covers: a first cover that opens and closes for user access, and a second cover that remains inside the case to seal the gap. This segmentation allows the first cover to maintain simplicity while the second cover provides liquid protection, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second cover acts as an intermediary element positioned between the first cover and the outer case. It seals the gap that would otherwise allow liquid to penetrate, thereby protecting internal components without interfering with the opening/closing function of the first cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a gap exists between the cover and outer case for opening/closing movement, then ease of operation is improved, but liquid can flow through the gap causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover movementVSAvoidliquid infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented from the movable cover (first cover) and assigned to a separate stationary cover (second cover) inside the case. This allows the first cover to move freely for ease of operation while the second cover maintains a sealed position to prevent liquid infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gap that initially appears harmful (allowing liquid entry) is actually beneficial as it enables the opening/closing movement. The second cover is strategically positioned within this gap to seal it, converting the potential harm into a functional design where the gap exists but remains sealed against liquid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11285747B2Printing device

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing device includes: a device case having a front aperture; a first hinge disposed in the device case; and a front cover that is disposed in the first hinge and that exposes or hides the front aperture. The first hinge includes: a joint member; a first rotation shaft that joins the front cover to the joint member; and a second rotation shaft that joins the device case to the joint member. When the front cover hides the front aperture, the joint member covers a gap between the device case and the front cover inside the device case.