Printer Cover Mechanism Prevents Slamming on Tilt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printer covers in roll paper printers can slam closed unexpectedly when tilted, causing noise and instability, and are inconvenient when unlocked as they can swing freely.

Innovation Solution

A printer cover opening/closing mechanism that includes a contact member which contacts or separates from the installation surface based on the printer's position, and a preventing member that stops the opening or closing operation when the contact member separates, preventing unintentional movement and instability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printer cover is unlocked to allow easy access for maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the printer cover becomes unstable and can swing freely when the printer is tilted or picked up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access for maintenanceVSAvoidstability of printer cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The preventing member is positioned in advance to counteract the harmful effect of unintended covering. When the contact member separates from the installation surface (indicating tilting or lifting), the preventing member proactively engages with the opening/closing mechanism to prevent the cover from slamming closed, thereby eliminating the need for continuous monitoring or active control during unstable conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the printer cover is allowed to open and close freely for normal operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the printer cover may slam closed unexpectedly when the printer is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidunexpected slamming and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The preventing member acts as an intermediary element between the printer cover and the harmful effect of unintended closing. It is activated only when the contact member separates from the installation surface, providing selective prevention that allows normal operation on stable surfaces while blocking the harmful slamming motion during tilting or lifting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a lock mechanism is used to secure the printer cover in the closed position, then the reliability is improved, but the printer cover becomes unstable when the lock is disengaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of closed positionVSAvoidstability when unlocked

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The preventing member is activated in advance when the contact member separates from the installation surface, before any unintended closing can occur. This preliminary protective action ensures that even when the lock is disengaged and the cover is vulnerable, the preventing member is already in position to block harmful movement, thereby maintaining stability without compromising the normal unlocking function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8654356B2Printer cover opening/closing mechanism, and printer

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Characterized by having a printer cover that is attached to a main unit and opens and closes; a contact member that contacts or separates from an installation surface according to the state of the printer relative to an installation surface on which the printer is placed; and a preventing member that does not prevent the opening or closing operation of the printer cover when the contact member contacts the installation surface, and prevents the opening or closing operation of the printer cover when the contact member separates from the installation surface.