Tape Cartridge Housing Structure for Secure Retention and Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tape cartridge housing cases are prone to unintentional ejection of tape cartridges when the opening faces downwards and are unstable when stacked, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A tape cartridge housing case design featuring a first protrusion on the lower wall portion to anchor the cartridge and a recess on the upper wall portion for stable stacking, preventing ejection and ensuring secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single opening is provided for tape cartridge insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the tape cartridge may fall out unintentionally when the opening faces downwards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertion and removalVSAvoidprevention of unintentional ejection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing case is divided into functional segments: the opening provides access while the protrusion and recess create a locking mechanism that segments the insertion path and secured state, allowing easy insertion through the opening while preventing ejection through the locking engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion on the lower wall portion acts as an intermediary element between the tape cartridge and the housing case body, creating a mechanical lock that mediates between the opening's accessibility and the need for secure retention, preventing ejection while maintaining operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple housing cases are stacked for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but unstable stacking causes tape cartridges to fall and sustain damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The recess on the upper wall portion is designed to receive the protrusion of the housing case above it, creating a nested arrangement where multiple housing cases stack vertically with interlocking protrusions and recesses, improving storage efficiency while ensuring stacking stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion and recess are pre-formed during manufacturing to guide and stabilize the stacking process, ensuring that when housing cases are stacked, they automatically align and lock into stable positions, preventing tape cartridges from falling during storage and transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20160336038A1Tape cartridge housing case

Publication Date: 2016.11.17 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There is provided a tape cartridge housing case, the case including (1) a case body having an upper wall portion that covers an upper face of a tape cartridge, a lower wall portion that covers a lower face of the tape cartridge, and an opening that the tape cartridge is inserted and removed through, (2) a first protrusion that is formed at an inner face of the lower wall portion, and that anchors an anchored portion, (3) a recess that is formed at an outer face of the lower wall portion at a position so as to be on the opposite side to the first protrusion in a front face-back face relationship, and (4) a second protrusion that is formed at an outer face of the upper wall portion at the same position as the recess in plan view.