Portable Printer Housing with Two-Layer Elastomer Resin Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable printers are prone to damage from impacts such as falling or collision, leading to impaired printing and ejection functions, and their resin casings often deform, affecting assembly accuracy and print quality.
Innovation Solution
A two-layered structure is employed, with a hard inner layer made of plastic and a flexible outer layer made of elastomer, where the outer layer has a higher mold shrinkage ratio than the inner layer, and a protruding part on the inner layer covers the outer layer's end surface to prevent deformation and enhance shock resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a resin casing is used for the portable printer, then the device can be made lightweight and cost-effective, but the casing deforms under impact causing assembly position accuracy and print quality to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is constructed as a composite structure with an inner layer of hard resin and an outer layer of soft resin. This multi-material approach combines the rigidity needed for structural integrity with the shock-absorbing properties of softer material, preventing deformation under impact while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing have different material properties - the inner layer provides structural rigidity where needed, while the outer layer provides shock absorption. This localized differentiation of material qualities allows the housing to resist deformation without sacrificing overall strength
2Ease of operation
If the printer is made portable and handheld, then mobility and ease of operation are improved, but the printer becomes vulnerable to damage from falling or collision
Solution Approach 1:
The outer layer of soft resin acts as a pre-positioned cushion that absorbs impact energy before it can reach and damage internal components. This protective layer is built into the housing structure beforehand, providing passive protection against falling and collision damages
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-material housing is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the housing cannot simultaneously provide rigidity and shock resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The housing uses a composite structure with two different resin materials - a hard inner layer for rigidity and a soft outer layer for shock absorption. This composite approach achieves both mechanical properties simultaneously while using a integrated molding process that maintains manufacturing efficiency
4Strength
If the outer layer has high mold shrinkage ratio to improve shock resistance, then shock absorption is enhanced, but shrinkage-induced deformation occurs affecting print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding part created by the inner layer provides localized structural support at critical areas where the outer layer would otherwise deform due to shrinkage. This localized reinforcement prevents overall shape distortion while preserving the shock-absorbing properties of the outer layer
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
This configuration achieves superior shock resistance without deformation, ensuring reliable operation and improved print quality by preventing shrinkage-induced distortion and allowing for cost-effective, high-strength production through two-color molding.
Implementation Method 1
an outer layer formed of a second material... the second material is an elastomer
Implementation Method 2
a protruding part is formed on at least one end of the inner layer, and the protruding part covers an end surface of the outer layer, such that shrinkage of the second material is structurally prevented by the protruding part
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A portable printer and a member having a two-layer configuration formed from members having different mold shrinkage ratios and having a superior shock resistance without distortion may be achieved. The member (50) including an inner layer (52) formed from a first material and an outer layer (54) formed from a second material. The second material has a higher mold shrinkage ratio than the first material. A protrusion (52A) included on at least at one end of the inner layer (52), such that an end surface (54a) of the outer layer (54) is covered by the protrusion (52A).