Interchangeable Hinge Structures for Printer Frame Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing printer designs for POS terminals, with 'hip down' and 'hip up' specifications, have distinct hinge structures, leading to separate assembly lines and parts supply schedules, which complicates productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular design that allows for interchangeable hinge structures between 'hip down' and 'hip up' specifications, enabling a common structure for both types of printers, with removably attached hinge pieces and cover structures, facilitating a unified assembly and parts supply schedule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate hinge structures are used for hip down and hip up specifications, then design functionality is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a common hinge structure that can serve multiple functions for both hip down and hip up specifications. The hinge structure includes a hinge body with a hinge axis, and different hinge pieces (first hinge piece for hip down, second hinge piece for hip up) that can be interchangeably attached to the same hinge body, allowing one hinge structure to accommodate multiple design specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hinge structure into separable components: a common hinge body and specification-specific hinge pieces. This segmentation allows the hinge structure to be disassembled and reconfigured depending on whether hip down or hip up specification is needed, reducing overall complexity while maintaining design functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate hinge structures are used for different specifications, then design-specific functionality is achieved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate both hip down and hip up specifications. The same hinge body serves as the mounting base for different hinge pieces, simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of unique parts that need to be produced and managed in the supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure employs removable and attachable connections that allow dynamic reconfiguration. The hinge pieces can be attached or detached from the hinge body depending on the required specification, enabling flexible manufacturing and assembly processes that can adapt to different production needs without requiring completely separate assembly lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate hinge structures are used for hip down and hip up specifications, then design functionality is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal hinge body that can accommodate both hip down and hip up specifications, the patent reduces the number of different parts that need to be managed in the supply chain. This universality streamlines inventory management and assembly processes, thereby improving productivity while maintaining the ability to produce both specification types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the common functional elements of hip down and hip up hinge structures into a single hinge body design. This consolidation reduces complexity in assembly operations and parts supply scheduling, leading to improved productivity while still allowing for specification-specific functionality through interchangeable hinge pieces.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to cope with a change in design between a printer having a hip down design specification (first specification) and another printer having a hip up design specification (second specification), each of a lower frame and an upper frame has a structure common to both of the specifications. The lower frame and the upper frame are coupled to each other by a hinge structure removably attached to the lower frame and the upper frame. The hinge structure is selected from a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure. By changing the hinge structure from the first hinge structure to the second hinge structure and vice versa, the height of a hinge center can easily be changed.