Optical Disk Printer Cover Interlock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers risk damaging recording media when the printer cover is inadvertently opened with the media loaded, leading to improper handling and hindered printing due to the inner edge of the slit-like inlet hitting the label surface or the media deviating from its printing position.
Innovation Solution
A printer design that inhibits manual opening of the cover when a recording medium is loaded, using interlock mechanisms and locking means to prevent accidental operation of the cover release mechanism, ensuring the medium remains secure and aligned for proper printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is made openable for loading recording media, then ease of operation is improved, but the recording medium may be damaged by inadvertent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing an inhibiting mechanism that prevents the cover from being opened when a recording medium is detected in the printer body. The detecting means detects the presence of media beforehand, and the inhibiting means activates to block the opening operation, thereby preventing potential damage before it can occur. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation when media is absent while ensuring media safety when media is present.
2Ease of operation
If the inlet is provided in the cover for media insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but the inner edge of the inlet may hit the label surface causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a protective structure between the inlet edge and the recording medium. The inlet is designed with a protective protrusion or rounded edge that acts as an intermediary element, preventing the sharp inner edge from directly contacting and damaging the label surface during media insertion. This allows easy media insertion while eliminating the harmful effect of edge contact.
3Device complexity
If the cover opening mechanism is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but inadvertent operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing an automatic inhibition system that detects the presence of recording media and automatically prevents cover opening without requiring additional manual intervention or complex locking mechanisms. The detecting means and inhibiting means work together to create a self-regulating system that simplifies the overall device while maintaining reliability through automatic protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer for printing character information on an optical disk using an ink cartridge. The printer comprises a printer cover for opening/closing a cartridge receiving section into which the ink cartridge will be loaded. When the ink cartridge is loaded into the cartridge receiving section, the cover is closed and then the optical disk is inserted into the printer. Then, printing is started. The cover is engaged with the printer body in a closed state. The cover is disengaged by operating an operation button. When the optical disk is inserted into the printer body, an inlet cover is pushed by the optical disk so as to be upstanding. This causes a lock member to protrude so as to engage with the operation button, thereby locking the operation button and hence rendering the cover unopenable.