Printer Panel Unit Embedded in Frame Recess

Solution Overview

Problem

Printers face challenges in downsizing due to the increased height and depth caused by the placement of operation buttons and display portions, which is particularly problematic for mobile printers that require further miniaturization.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus configuration featuring a frame with high and low position faces in the upper portion, where the panel unit providing operational and display functions is embedded in the low position face, reducing the overall height and horizontal size without necessitating horizontal position shifts of the frame and panel unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the panel unit is disposed independently above the frame, then the operational and display functions are provided, but the height-direction size increases due to adding the panel unit height to the frame height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational and display functionsVSAvoidheight-direction size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The panel unit is embedded into the frame structure, with the lower portion of the panel unit inserted into a recessed region of the frame. This nesting arrangement allows the panel unit to occupy space within the frame's profile rather than adding to it, thereby providing operational and display functions while suppressing the overall height-direction size of the recording apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame includes high position and low position faces in its upper portion, creating a stepped structure. The panel unit is disposed on the low position face, utilizing the vertical dimensioning of the frame to accommodate the panel without increasing the overall height. This dimensional arrangement allows the panel unit to be integrated into the frame's depth rather than extending its height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the frame and panel unit positions are shifted horizontally to avoid overlap, then the height is reduced, but the horizontal-direction size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight-direction sizeVSAvoidhorizontal-direction size

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame includes high position and low position faces in its upper portion, creating a stepped structure. The panel unit is disposed on the low position face, utilizing the vertical dimensioning of the frame to accommodate the panel without increasing the overall height. This dimensional arrangement allows the panel unit to be integrated into the frame's depth rather than extending its height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9919545B2Recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer is configured such that a low position face is formed in an upper portion of a frame that forms a skeleton of an apparatus body thereof, and a panel unit that provides a user with a function of operating the printer and a function of displaying various items is disposed in a state of being embedded in the low position face. This configuration enables the height-direction size (the z-axis direction size) of the printer to be suppressed to a size smaller than the size resulting from independently adding the height-direction size of the frame to the height-direction size of the panel unit.