Substrate Arrangement in Recording Apparatus for Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in reducing size and thickness due to the arrangement of substrates on the outside of the mechanical component area, which complicates wiring operations and increases the overall size of the device.

Innovation Solution

The substrate is arranged between the base of the main apparatus body and the mechanism section, with relay substrates connected through wirings to secure connectors, allowing for a more compact design and simplified wiring operations by utilizing free spaces within the mechanical component arrangement area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the substrate is arranged on the outside of the mechanical component arrangement area, then the wiring operation space is secured, but the size of the recording apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring operationVSAvoidsize of recording apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is arranged in the thickness direction (vertical arrangement) within the mechanical component arrangement area, transitioning from a planar layout to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows the substrate to be positioned between the base and the mechanism section, utilizing the vertical space rather than expanding the horizontal footprint, thereby reducing the overall size of the recording apparatus while maintaining wiring operation accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is nested within the mechanical component arrangement area by positioning it between the base and the mechanism section. This nested arrangement allows the substrate to occupy the vertical space within the existing structural boundaries, effectively utilizing the internal volume of the apparatus without increasing its external dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If the substrate size is reduced, then the recording apparatus size is reduced, but the wiring operation space becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording apparatus sizeVSAvoidwiring operation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the substrate vertically in the thickness direction, the wiring operation space is created in the vertical dimension rather than requiring horizontal expansion. This allows wiring operations to be performed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, effectively providing sufficient wiring space while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the substrate is arranged between the base and mechanism section, then the size and thickness are reduced, but the wiring operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize and thicknessVSAvoidwiring operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into upper and lower surfaces, with wiring operations performed on both sides. This segmentation allows the wiring operations to be distributed across different surfaces, making them more accessible despite the vertical arrangement, and enables parallel processing of different wiring tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2682271B1Recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2682271B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2682271B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2682271B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A main substrate which is arranged in one end section of a main apparatus body in the width direction is horizontally arranged using a free space in one end section of the mechanical component arrangement area in a main apparatus body in the width direction. A plurality of relay substrates are vertically provided in the upper-side position of the main substrate in the mechanical component arrangement area, and the main substrate is connected to the plurality of relay substrates through FFCs connected to respective connectors. A plurality of connectors are provided on the two relay substrates in order to connect to wirings from a printer mechanism section.