Printer Top Cover Opening Mechanism with Integrated Spanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional printer designs have an inconvenient upper cover opening mechanism that requires multiple operations to fully open, making it difficult to change printing paper rolls.

Innovation Solution

A printer with a cover-opening member hinged to the top cover, featuring a spanner and locking hook mechanism, and an elastic member for easy engagement and disengagement with the printer body, allowing the top cover to be opened in a single operation by rotating the cover-opening member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional locking hook and spanner mechanism is used, then the upper cover can be locked securely, but multiple operations are required to open the cover completely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidopening operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the locking hook and spanner into a single integrated cover-opening member that performs both locking and opening functions. The cover-opening member includes a locking portion that engages with the locking groove on the printer body, and when rotated, it automatically disengages the locking hook while simultaneously opening the upper cover in one continuous motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover-opening member is designed as a dynamic component that can rotate between different positions. It transitions from a locked position where the locking portion engages with the locking groove, to an unlocked position where rotation disengages the locking mechanism and opens the cover. This dynamic rotation enables the single-operation opening function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the cover-opening member is integrated with the top cover, then the structure is simplified, but the locking mechanism may become less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover-opening member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a locking portion with a locking hook, a spanner portion for manual operation, and a connecting portion that hinges to the top cover. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity and locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking groove on the printer body serves as an intermediary element that receives and engages with the locking hook on the cover-opening member. This intermediary mechanism provides a reliable locking interface while allowing the cover-opening member to remain integrated with the top cover, balancing simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Simplifies the operation of opening the top cover, enabling complete access for paper changes without additional steps, while maintaining dust prevention and secure engagement.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (4) which has a predetermined deformation and is fixedly provided between the cover-opening member (3) below the hinging point and the top cover (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the middle of the cover-opening member (3) is hinged to the top cover (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

a cover-opening member, wherein an opening is provided in the middle of the upper wall of the top cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2284013B1printer
Publication Date: 2014.07.23 SHANDONG NEW BEIYANG INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP2284013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2284013B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2284013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printer comprises: a printer body (1), a top cover (2) hinged to the rear portion of the printer body, and a cover-opening member (3). An opening (21) is formed in the middle of the upper wall of the top cover. The lower end of the cover-opening member (3) is passed through the opening (21) and engaged with the printer body (1). The middle of the cover-opening member (3) is hinged to the top cover (2). The lower end of the cover-opening member can be engaged with or disengaged from the printer body (1) as long as a user rotates the cover-opening member upward. The printer has a simple construct, and the user can open the top cover in a single operation.