Printer Cover Lock Integrating Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printer designs require complex mechanisms for heat dissipation and cover locking, increasing the number of parts, assembly space, and cost, while miniaturization of portable printers is hindered by the need for separate heat dissipation plates.

Innovation Solution

A printer cover locking mechanism that integrates a heat-dissipating cover lock with a platen roller lock engaging part, tapered surface, and spring-attaching protrusion, eliminating the need for a separate heat dissipation plate by using an iron material with a plated surface, which attaches directly to the print head and conserves assembly space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a separate heat dissipation plate is provided for the print head, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but the number of parts increases and assembly space is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat dissipation function with the cover lock mechanism by integrating a heat dissipation protrusion into the cover lock body. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate heat dissipation plate, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the print head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover lock mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the locking function for the cover and simultaneously serves as a heat dissipation structure through the heat dissipation protrusion. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the printer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If a separate heat dissipation plate is provided for the print head, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but assembly space is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidassembly space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation function is merged into the cover lock mechanism through the heat dissipation protrusion, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for a separate heat dissipation plate. This integration conserves assembly space while maintaining heat dissipation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover lock mechanism performs dual functions as both a locking mechanism and a heat dissipation structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate components and reducing the overall assembly space required in the printer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If complex mechanisms are used for cover locking and heat dissipation, then functional reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cover locking mechanism and heat dissipation function into a single integrated component structure. This reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover lock mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions (locking and heat dissipation) simultaneously, reducing the overall component count and simplifying manufacturing processes, which leads to decreased production costs while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the number of parts, conserves assembly space, decreases costs, and enables miniaturization of printers by incorporating a heat-dissipating cover lock that functions as both a locking mechanism and heat dissipation component.

Implementation Method 1

A material of the cover lock may be an iron material having a plated surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2979883B1Printer cover lock mechanism

Publication Date: 2018.09.19 SATO HLDG CORP

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AI summary

A printer cover locking mechanism is provided that has a reduced number of parts and may be assembled in a small space, by further simplification of a print head (thermal head (13)) mechanism, a cover lock (27) mechanism relating to opening and closing of an opening and closing cover (3), and a heat dissipation mechanism for a print head (13). Focusing on the cover lock (27) that also serves as a conventional heat dissipation plate, a printer cover locking mechanism, which includes the opening and closing cover (3) that opens and closes with respect to a printer housing (2), a print head (13) capable of printing on print paper (continuous label body (4)), a platen roller (14) capable of feeding a print paper (4) by sandwiching the printer paper (4) between the platen roller (14) and the print head (13), and a cover lock (27) for causing the print head (13) to contact with and separate from the platen roller (14) by engaging with and disengaging from the platen roller (14), respectively. The print head (13) is attached on the cover lock (27), and the cover lock (27) is capable of dissipating heat generated from the print head (13).