Printer Lid Arcuate Slot Ribbon Frame Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Replacing consumable components in printers, especially those with small form factors, is complex and time-consuming, leading to costly downtime due to the need for easy access to tightly packaged components.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a base assembly and a lid assembly that moves between closed and open positions, utilizing an arcuate slot on the lid assembly to lift a ribbon frame post and move the ribbon frame to a presenting position, facilitating easy replacement of consumable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the printer uses a compact design with tightly packaged components, then the device size is reduced, but access to consumable components becomes difficult and replacement becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon frame is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a stowed position within the printer housing and a presenting position that extends outward. The lid assembly acts as a movable element that, when opened, automatically moves the ribbon frame from the compact internal position to an accessible external position, allowing easy consumable replacement while maintaining a compact closed form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The solution utilizes the vertical dimension created by the lid opening motion to relocate the ribbon frame. Instead of requiring lateral or vertical manual manipulation, the lid's rotational movement translates the ribbon frame along a curved path from an internal horizontal position to an external presenting position, effectively using dimensional transformation to improve accessibility
2Ease of operation
If the printer replaces consumable components through complex mechanisms, then component access is achieved, but replacement time increases leading to costly downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon frame is pre-positioned within the printer housing in a ready state, and the lid assembly is pre-configured with the arcuate slot mechanism. When the user opens the lid, the preliminary mechanical arrangement automatically performs the ribbon frame relocation action, eliminating the need for manual manipulation steps and reducing replacement time to merely the lid opening motion plus consumable exchange
3Device complexity
If the printer uses fewer parts in a robust configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but access to tightly packaged consumables becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is merged with the ribbon frame positioning mechanism, where the lid itself serves as both the protective cover and the actuating element for ribbon frame relocation. The arcuate slot is integrated into the lid assembly, and the ribbon frame post interacts directly with the lid's motion, eliminating the need for separate linkages, motors, or complex positioning mechanisms while maintaining easy access functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An example disclosed printer includes a base. The printer further includes a lid attached to the base movable between a closed position in which the lid is secured to the base, and an open position in which the lid is at least partially separated from the base. The printer further includes an arcuate slot disposed on an inside surface of the lid. The printer further includes a ribbon frame disposed within the printer, and a ribbon frame post secured to the ribbon frame and disposed within the arcuate slot. When the lid is moved to the open position, the arcuate slot lifts the ribbon frame post and causes the ribbon frame to move to a presenting position.