Sliding Vehicle Printer Mount for Compact In-Cabin Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle printer mounts or stations are bulky and require multiple components for storage of mobile computers, printers, and printer paper rolls, making them inconvenient for easy access in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact vehicle printer station that allows a mobile computer to be stacked on top, with a housing and vehicle mounting bracket that securely store a mini portable printer and its paper roll, using a sliding tray mechanism for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional vehicle printer mounts use multiple separate components for storage, then storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple storage functions (printer storage, paper roll storage, mobile computer storage) into a single integrated housing structure. The housing includes an interior cavity for the printer, a paper roll holder integrated into the same housing, and a top surface designed to support a mobile computer, thereby reducing the number of separate components while maintaining storage capacity for all three items.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a printer mount, a paper roll holder, and a support base for the mobile computer. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate storage components for each item, reducing overall device complexity while providing comprehensive storage capability.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional vehicle printer mounts provide comprehensive storage, then storage capacity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into distinct functional zones: an interior cavity for the printer, a paper roll holder with retrieval aperture, and a top surface for the mobile computer. This segmentation allows each component to be accessed independently through dedicated openings, maintaining ease of operation while providing comprehensive storage for multiple items within a compact structure.
3Device complexity
If compact design is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but storage capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space by designing the housing with an interior cavity for the printer at the bottom, a paper roll holder in the middle section with side aperture access, and a top surface for the mobile computer. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes storage capacity within a compact footprint, maintaining structural simplicity while accommodating all required items efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a printer station for a vehicle comprising: a housing having a top surface member connected to two side members forming an interior housing channel, a printer sliding tray, and a vehicle mounting bracket wherein: the interior housing channel is designed to contain at least a portion of the printer sliding tray; each of the two side members of the housing includes a slide feature that accepts and allows the printer sliding tray to slide in and out of the interior housing channel; the vehicle mounting bracket is attached to the housing; the vehicle mounting bracket includes vehicle attachment features for attachment to a vehicle's interior; the printer tray is designed to contain a printer; and the printer tray includes a printer paper roll holding feature to contain a printer paper roll that feeds into the printer.