Printer Cover Hinged Near Roll Axis for Compact Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 'easy loading' printers with a hinged cover occupy significant space and are prone to damage due to the cover's exposure when oscillating between closed and open positions, making them cumbersome and vulnerable.

Innovation Solution

A printer design where the cover is hinged close to the paper roll's axis, allowing it to slide between open and closed positions while remaining adjacent to the receptacle, reducing space requirements and minimizing exposure, with a hollow shell extending around the roll in the open position to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cover is hinged at one end to allow easy opening and closing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cover occupies considerable space and is exposed to damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoiddamage risk to cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge axis is inverted from being at the end of the cover to being at the side, close to the paper roll axis. This inversion changes the cover's motion from a wide arc to a compact sliding movement that keeps the cover adjacent to the receptacle throughout its travel, minimizing exposure to damage while maintaining operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the cover is hinged at one end for easy loading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the space occupied by the cover increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of loadingVSAvoidspace occupied by cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the hinge location from the end to the side of the cover, the cover's motion path is fundamentally changed. Instead of sweeping a large area during opening/closing, the cover slides compactly while remaining adjacent to the receptacle, significantly reducing the space occupied while preserving easy loading functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to nest adjacent to the receptacle during its opening and closing motion. The hollow shell configuration allows the cover to tuck close to the paper roll and receptacle structure, minimizing the external footprint and space requirements of the printer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the cover extends far from the support structure for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cover is particularly exposed to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to receptacleVSAvoidcover durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge axis inversion causes the cover to slide alongside the receptacle rather than extend outward. This keeps the cover in a protected position adjacent to the support structure throughout its motion, eliminating the exposure to damage that would result from extensive outward projection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is constructed as a hollow shell that can flex and conform to the compact space adjacent to the receptacle. This shell configuration allows the cover to maintain protective coverage while occupying minimal space and remaining resilient to potential damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8950958B2Printer with cover retractable around paper roll

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 K F I TRADING

AI summary

A printer, particularly for thermal paper is provided. Such printer includes those having a support structure which is fixed in use, and in which there is formed a receptacle for receiving a roll of paper tape which is unwound in use by rotation about an axis, a cover which is hinged to the structure about an axis which is substantially parallel to the unwinding axis of the roll, and which can be oscillated between a closed position and an open position in which it covers and uncovers the receptacle, respectively, a printing device carried by the support structure, and a transport roller for the paper tape unwound from the roll, interacting with the printing device; the roller being carried by the cover in such a way that it can be coupled to or uncoupled from the printing device as a result of the closing or opening of the cover.