Reversible Printer Cover Structure for Integrated Optional Units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers require separate members and optional units for additional functions, increasing material and manufacturing costs and management complexity.

Innovation Solution

A printer design with a detachable cover structure that integrates optional units, such as a cutting or peeling unit, allowing them to be attached in any direction and supported by a hook-shaped supporting portion with a deviation suppressing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are prepared separately for optional functions, then the printer can provide cutting and peeling functions, but the manufacturing cost and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptional functionsVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optional function components with the standard model printer body. Specifically, the cutting unit and peeling unit are integrated into the printer's main structure, sharing common components such as the motor, drive mechanisms, and housing. This integration eliminates the need for completely separate optional units, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying management while maintaining functional versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the printer with universal components that serve multiple functions. The motor and drive system are configured to handle both standard printing operations and optional cutting/peeling functions. The printer body is designed with standardized interfaces and mounting structures that accommodate different functional configurations, allowing a single base model to support multiple operational modes without requiring entirely separate component sets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are prepared separately for optional functions, then the printer can provide cutting and peeling functions, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptional functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optional function components with the standard model printer body. Specifically, the cutting unit and peeling unit are integrated into the printer's main structure, sharing common components such as the motor, drive mechanisms, and housing. This integration eliminates the need for completely separate optional units, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying management while maintaining functional versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the printer with universal components that serve multiple functions. The motor and drive system are configured to handle both standard printing operations and optional cutting/peeling functions. The printer body is designed with standardized interfaces and mounting structures that accommodate different functional configurations, allowing a single base model to support multiple operational modes without requiring entirely separate component sets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4434760B1printer
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4434760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4434760B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4434760B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A printer (1) includes: a paper holding unit (3) holding a roll paper (30); a printing unit (4) printing on the paper pulled out from the paper holding unit (3); and a box-shaped casing (2) housing the paper holding unit (3) and the printing unit (4), the casing (2) includes: a plate-shaped cover portion (23); and a main body portion (2) being a portion other than the cover portion (23), wherein, in an attaching structure in which the cover portion (23) is detachably attached to the main body portion (2), the cover portion (23) can be attached in any direction where one of a first surface being one surface of the plate-shaped cover portion and a second surface being the other surface in a direction faces the main body portion (2), and the cover portion (23) has a supporting portion detachably supporting an optional unit performing a predetermined process on the paper in any one of the first surface or the second surface.