Printer Lid Gimbal Plate for Compact Thermal Cutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamshell printers for thermal paper in shop registers and ATMs face challenges in compact design due to the need for separate fixed and movable blades for cutting, which increases the printer's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The printer incorporates a gimbal plate attached to the lid with coil springs, allowing the movable blade unit to be positioned effectively on the lid, reducing the need for additional space and enabling a compact design by using die-cast gear boxes and strategically formed projections and grooves for precise alignment and operation of the blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate fixed and movable blades are used for cutting, then the cutting function is achieved, but the printer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed blade unit and movable blade unit are integrated into a single cutter assembly where the movable blade unit can slide relative to the fixed blade unit. This merging of blade functions into one compact cutter structure reduces the overall printer size while maintaining the cutting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blade unit is designed to slide dynamically relative to the fixed blade unit during the cutting operation. This dynamic configuration allows the blades to be positioned close together when not in use, minimizing the space required in the printer body.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate fixed and movable blades are used for cutting, then the cutting function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed blade unit and movable blade unit share a common housing and alignment mechanism, merging their structural support systems. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the dual-blade cutting function.
3Volume of moving object
If the movable blade unit is positioned on the lid, then space is reduced, but precise alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A gimbal plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the movable blade unit and the lid. This gimbal plate provides a precise mounting interface with built-in alignment features, ensuring accurate blade positioning even when the movable blade unit is mounted on the lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal plate incorporates visual alignment indicators (such as colored marks or positional references) that guide the precise alignment of the movable blade unit with the fixed blade unit during assembly and operation.
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 allows for a more compact printer design without increasing size, ensuring precise blade alignment and operation, thus enhancing the printer's efficiency and usability in compact spaces like shop registers and ATMs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (81) is provided so as to intervene between the gimbal plate (70) and the movable blade unit (60)
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a printer body, a lid, a cutter, a fixed blade unit, a movable blade unit, a gimbal plate, and a spring. The printer body includes a print head. The lid is connected to the printer body so as to be opened and closed relative to the printer body. The cutter cuts recording paper. The fixed blade unit is provided in the printer body and includes a fixed blade of the cutter. The movable blade unit is provided on the lid and includes a movable blade of the cutter. The gimbal plate is attached to the lid. The movable blade unit is connected to the gimbal plate. The spring intervenes between the movable blade unit and the gimbal plate. The movable blade unit is provided on the lid with the gimbal plate attached to the lid.