Printer Cover Release Lever Mechanism for Simplified Operation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable printers with a mechanism for interlocking pressing members and covers are complex, leading to an increased number of mechanical parts and complexity in operation.

Innovation Solution

A printer design featuring a rotatable cover with a release button that allows the pressing member to retract when the cover is opened, utilizing a release lever that rotates between positions to hold and release the roller shaft, simplifying the mechanism and reducing the number of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanism for interlocking pressing member and cover is implemented, then the cover can be opened and pressing member retracted in response to single user operation, but the number of mechanical parts increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover opening operationVSAvoidmechanical parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release lever integrates multiple functions: it acts as a locking mechanism for the cover, a triggering mechanism for the pressing member retraction, and a positional indicator. By merging these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of mechanical parts while maintaining ease of operation through single-user-action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The release lever serves multiple purposes within the system: it locks the cover in position, controls the pressing member movement, and provides user interface functionality. This multi-functionality allows the patent to achieve reliable operation without increasing device complexity through additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a mechanism for interlocking pressing member and cover is implemented, then the cover can be opened and pressing member retracted in response to single user operation, but the number of mechanical parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover opening operationVSAvoidmechanical parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The release lever integrates multiple functions: it acts as a locking mechanism for the cover, a triggering mechanism for the pressing member retraction, and a positional indicator. By merging these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of mechanical parts while maintaining ease of operation through single-user-action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential locking and triggering functions from separate complex mechanisms and concentrates them into the release lever. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing redundant components while preserving the critical interlocking functionality between the cover and pressing member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11801697B2Printer with holding and pressing members that are engageable with each other to hold a cover closed

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

A printer includes a body including a label sheet storage location and a cover rotatably attached to the body and covering the storage location when closed. The cover includes a roller having a shaft that is used for conveying the label sheet when the cover is closed and a peeling bar extending above the roller. The body includes a pressing member extending along the direction and pressing the sheet against the bar for peeling a label from the label sheet and a release lever arranged at an end of the pressing member. The release lever has a recess and rotates between a first position at which the shaft fits into the recess and a second position at which the shaft is released. The release lever rotates from the first to second positions to open the cover when a release button is pressed.