Printer Holding Plate Foldable Hinge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal transfer type printers with a cantilever structure require extra space for maintenance due to the protrusion of the holding side plate when the cover is opened, leading to potential inclination of the ink ribbon shaft and gaps between the print head and platen roller units.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a holding plate connected to the platen roller with a first hinge, allowing it to rotate and fold parallel to the housing, reducing the space occupied when the cover is opened by incorporating a second hinge for the holding plate to be foldable, thus minimizing protrusion and maintaining proper alignment of the ink ribbon shaft and print head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a holding side plate is used to support the free ends of the ink ribbon shaft and print head unit, then the positioning stability is improved, but the device occupies extra space when the cover is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The holding side plate is divided into two separate plates: a first holding side plate connected to the housing and a second holding side plate connected to the platen roller. This segmentation allows each plate to be independently positioned and folded, reducing the overall space occupied when the cover is opened while maintaining positioning stability through the coordinated action of both plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding side plates are designed to rotate and fold in a direction parallel to the width direction of the housing, utilizing the depth dimension of the printer body. This dimensional change allows the plates to be stored within the printer's internal space rather than protruding outward, effectively reducing the occupied footprint when the cover is opened.
2Ease of operation
If the holding side plate protrudes when opened for maintenance, then the accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the printer body width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding side plates are designed with rotational movement capability, allowing them to dynamically transition between a closed position (parallel to the housing inner surface) and an open position (protruding for maintenance). This dynamic design enables the plates to provide maintenance accessibility only when needed, while maintaining a compact printer body width during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If a single holding side plate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision of the ink ribbon shaft and print head unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single holding side plate is segmented into two separate plates: the first holding side plate connected to the housing and the second holding side plate connected to the platen roller. Each plate can be independently positioned and adjusted, which improves the positioning precision of the ink ribbon shaft and print head unit while the overall structure remains relatively simple through this modular division.
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
The design reduces the occupied space when the cover is opened, improves maintenance accessibility, and ensures proper positioning of the ink ribbon shaft and print head, enhancing operational efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a first hinge, and by which the second end of each of the ink ribbon shaft and the print head is held when the holding plate is rotated about the first hinge
Implementation Method 2
The holding plate includes a second hinge about which the holding plate is foldable
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a housing, a shaft connected to an inner surface of the housing at a first end thereof, extending along a first direction to a second end, and by which an ink ribbon is held, a print head connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and transferring ink from the ribbon to a sheet, a roller connected to the surface at a first end thereof, extending along the direction to a second end, and conveying the sheet, and a holding plate connected to the second end of the roller and rotatable around a first hinge and by which the second ends of the shaft and the head are held when the plate is rotated about the first hinge to be parallel to the surface. The plate includes a second hinge about which the holding plate is foldable.