Unitary-Construction Handle for Indicia Reader Cable Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hand-held indicia-readers with a gun-shaped design face challenges in integrating electronics onto a single printed circuit board, requiring internal cables that increase costs and complexity, and are prone to failure due to cable flexing.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held indicia-reader with a unitary-construction handle that integrates the host-connector cable, eliminating the need for internal cables and reducing the number of mechanical parts, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal cable is used to electrically connect the host connector to the PCB, then electrical connection is achieved, but the overall cost increases and reliability decreases due to potential cable failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handle structure and cable routing into a single integrated unit. The handle is designed as a unified component that incorporates cable channels and mounting features, eliminating the need for separate cable management parts. This integration reduces the number of components and potential failure points while maintaining electrical connectivity between the host connector and PCB.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple individual mechanical parts are used in the handle assembly, then assembly flexibility is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple handle components into a single molded part. The handle assembly includes integrated features such as cable channels, mounting structures, and ergonomic elements all formed as one piece through injection molding. This eliminates the need for secondary over-mold processes and reduces assembly steps while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional gun-shaped design is used, then ease of handling is achieved, but integration of electronics onto a single PCB becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the electronic components and PCB layout to accommodate the gun-shaped form factor. The PCB is designed with a folded or multi-layer configuration that fits within the constrained space of the traditional handle design. Electronics are strategically positioned along the handle's length rather than requiring a flat surface, enabling single-PCB integration while preserving the ergonomic gun-shaped structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held indicia-reading device includes a housing and a cable having a unitary-construction. The indicia-reader has a head portion with an indicia-reading system including a printed circuit board. The entire handle portion of the reader is typically over-molded onto a host-connector cable. The host-connector cable includes a circuit board connector on one end and a connector for connecting to a host at an opposite end extending from a base portion of the handle.