Printing Device Unit Attaching Structure Reducing Attachment Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices increase user workload when attaching tape cartridges due to the entire end part contacting the gentle slope of the sensor cover, leading to inefficient attachment processes.
Innovation Solution
A unit attaching structure with a guiding member and a pressing part, where the pressing plate is movable between two positions, allowing the unit to be guided and pressed onto a contacting part shifted from the center of gravity, reducing the contact area and thus the workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the end part of the tape cartridge contacts the entire area of the gentle slope of the sensor cover, then the sensor unit can detect the substrate, but the user's workload when attaching the tape cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing plate is divided into functionally distinct regions: a contacting part with conductive electrodes for electrical contact with the substrate, and a pressing surface for mechanical pressing. This segmentation allows the substrate to be contacted at a specific point (reducing attachment force required) while still ensuring reliable electrical connection and sensor detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting part is positioned at a location shifted from the center of gravity of the pressing plate, creating a local quality difference. This offset position creates a longer moment arm that reduces the attachment force required, while the conductive electrodes ensure reliable electrical contact at this specific location.
2Volume of moving object
If the pressing plate is positioned closer to the bottom wall, then the device structure is more compact, but the distance between the contacting part and center of gravity decreases, increasing user workload
Solution Approach 1:
The position of the pressing plate is optimized to maintain an appropriate distance from the bottom wall, balancing compactness with operational ease. The contacting part is positioned at an offset location that maximizes the moment arm length, reducing attachment force while maintaining a compact overall structure.
3Device complexity
If the contacting part is positioned at the center of gravity of the pressing plate, then the structure is simplified, but the attachment process requires more force from the user
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting part is deliberately positioned asymmetrically relative to the center of gravity of the pressing plate. This asymmetric positioning creates a longer moment arm for attachment force application, reducing the force required from the user while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the overall design.
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 reduces the user's workload during attachment by securing a longer distance between the contacting part and the center of gravity, stabilizing the attachment process and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member configured to urge the pressing plate from the second position toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
a guiding member extending in the first direction, the guiding member being configured to engage with the unit to guide the unit to the attachment part
Implementation Method 3
the pressing plate being configured to contact the unit when the unit is attached to the attachment part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A unit attaching structure configured to attach a unit to an attachment part of a printing device. The attachment part has a bottom wall and a side wall intersecting with the bottom wall. When the unit starts contacting a pressing plate, the unit contacts a contacting part which is a part of a particular end part of the pressing plate on a side opposite to the bottom wall and shifted in the third direction with respect to a position of center of load of gravity of the urging member to the pressing plate. The unit moves with contacting the pressing plate and is attached to the attachment part after contacting the contacting part. A contacting range, in the third direction, of the unit and the contacting part is smaller than a contacting range, in the third direction, of the unit attached to the attachment part and the pressing part.