Printer Shielding Part Prevents Cutter Access During Cartridge Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing printing apparatuses, there is a risk of user access to processing units, such as cutter devices, when exchanging ink cartridges, as the panel opening mechanism does not effectively prevent access to these units.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a shielding part that moves into position to block access to the processing unit when the opening/closing part is in the second position, allowing cartridge exchange while preventing access to the cutter unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the panel is opened to exchange the ink cartridge, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to potential user access to the cutter device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cartridge exchangeVSAvoidrisk of user access to cutter device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into two separate sections: a first panel that opens to allow cartridge exchange, and a second panel that remains closed to shield the cutter device. This segmentation allows users to access the cartridge compartment without gaining access to the dangerous cutter blade, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the opening/closing part is designed to release the opening for cartridge access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential accidental operation of the processing unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cartridge exchangeVSAvoidprevention of accidental processing unit operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The panel assembly is segmented into a first panel for cartridge access and a second panel for cutter shielding. This allows the opening/closing mechanism to independently control access to different functional areas, enabling easy cartridge exchange while maintaining reliability by preventing accidental cutter operation through physical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second panel acts as an intermediary barrier between the user and the cutter device. Even when the first panel is opened for cartridge exchange, the second panel remains in place as a protective intermediary that prevents direct access to the processing unit, thereby maintaining reliability without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240092102A1Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided a printing apparatus including: a casing, an opening/closing part, a printing part, a processing unit and a shielding part. The casing has an opening. The opening/closing part is movable to a first position to a second position. The printing part has an installment part and prints an image on a print medium. The processing unit is arranged on a downstream side in a conveyance direction, of the print medium, with respect to the printing part and processes the print medium. The shielding part shields at least a part of the processing unit. When the opening/closing part is at the second position, the opening is capable of releasing a location above the installment part or a part, of the installment part. When the opening/closing part is at the second position, the shielding part shields at least the part of the processing unit.