Imaging/printing systems, such as printers, copiers, etc., may be used to form markings on a physical medium, such as text, images, etc. In some examples, imaging systems may form markings on the physical medium by performing a print job. A print job can include forming markings such as text and/or images by transferring a print material (e.g., ink, toner, etc.) to the physical medium.
Imaging/printing devices may include a supply of a print material. As used herein, the term “print material” refers to a substance which can be transported through and/or utilized by an imaging device. In some examples, print material can be, for instance, a material that when applied to a medium, can form representation(s) (e.g., text, images, models, etc.) on the medium during a print job. Print material may include ink, toner, polymers, metals, colorants, etc.
The print material can be deposited onto a physical medium. As used herein, the term “printing device” refers to any hardware device with functionalities to physically produce representation(s) (e.g., text, images, models, etc.) on the medium. In some examples, a “medium” may include paper, photopolymers, plastics, composite, metal, wood, fabric, or the like. A printing device can further include other functionalities such as scanning, faxing, and/or other printing device functionalities, and can perform print jobs when in receipt of a print job request from a computing device or other network (e.g., Internet) connected device.
User inputs to a printing device may be made through various input mechanisms. For example, input mechanisms for a printing device may include utilizing buttons on the printing device, a touch screen display on the printing device, transmitting wireless signals to the printing device, among other types of input mechanisms.
In some examples, a dial control panel can be utilized as an input mechanism for a printing device. A dial control panel can include, for instance, a wheel that can be rotated (e.g., by a user) to navigate menus, select printing functions, etc. Such menus, printing functions, and other information may be displayed on a display that can be included on the printing device, integrated within the dial control panel, etc. The dial control panel can be depressed by a user in order to make a menu selection, select a print function, etc. In some examples, the user may make a selection by interacting with the display, which may be a touch screen display.
The dial control panel can allow for a more streamlined and efficient input mechanism relative to previous approaches. For example, a dial control panel may allow a user to more quickly navigate different printing device functions, input information such as number of copies (e.g., for a print job), email addresses, shared folders, usernames/passwords, etc., as compared with previous approaches.
In some instances, certain dial control panel designs may result in a poor user experience with the printing device. For example, a dial control panel that jitters (e.g., wobbles) when rotated may cause a user to dislike the printing device, as the user may think the build quality of the printing device is low. As a result, the printing device may not be as desirable to consumers.
Spring members according to the disclosure can allow for a solid, smooth spinning dial control panel without horizontal or vertical wobble when rotated, as is further described herein. Such a dial control panel can ensure a positive user experience for a user, and as a result, be a desirable product to consumers.
As illustrated in
The dial 102 can be a plastic material. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the dial 102 can be metal, carbon fiber, and/or any other type of material. Further, the dial 102 may be molded (e.g., by insert molding, injection molding, overmolding, or other molding techniques), three-dimensional (3D) printed, machined, or manufactured via any other manufacturing technique.
The dial 102 can include an inner channel 104. As used herein, the term “channel” refers to an opening in a portion of material. For example, the inner channel 104 can be an opening in an “inner” side of the dial 102 (e.g., as oriented in
The inner channel 104 can be defined by a first surface 106 and a second surface 108. For example, the inner channel 104 can be an “L” shaped channel defined by a first surface 106 that is located relative to a second surface 108 on the “inner” side of the dial 102, as is further described in connection with
The apparatus 100 can further include the middle cover 110. As used herein, the term “cover” refers to an object which is located on, over, or around other object(s). For example, the middle cover 110 can be a portion of an assembly of a dial control panel and can be located on, over, and/or around other components of the printing device and/or the dial control panel. The middle cover 10 can include a central axis 112.
The middle cover 110 can be a plastic material. For example, the middle cover 110 can be an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic material with Teflon. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the middle cover 110 can be any other plastic material, can be metal, carbon fiber, etc. Further, the middle cover 110 may be molded (e.g., by insert molding, injection molding, overmolding, or other molding techniques), three-dimensional (3D) printed, machined, or manufactured via any other manufacturing technique.
As illustrated in
The first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 can be biased away from the central axis 112. For example, when the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 are in a disengaged orientation (e.g., as illustrated in
When the dial 102 is interfaced with the middle cover 110, the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 are to interface with the first surface 106 and the second surface 108, respectively, of the dial 102. For example, the first spring member 114 can interface with the first surface 106 and the second spring member 120 can interface with the second surface 108. In such an orientation, the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 can be in an engaged orientation. As used herein, the term “engaged orientation” refers to an orientation of the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 such that the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 are experiencing a force. The force can be caused by the dial 102 and can cause the first spring member 114 and the second spring member 120 to be rotated towards the central axis 112 and provide a constant force on the first surface 106 and the second surface 108 of the channel 104 which can provide a smooth spinning dial 102, as is further described herein.
Although a single pair of spring members 114 and 120 are illustrated in
The first spring member 214 can include a first lateral protrusion 216. As used herein, the term “lateral protrusion” refers to a projection of material. The first lateral protrusion 216 can, accordingly, be a projection of material from the first spring member 214 in a same direction as the bias of the first spring member 214. That is, the first lateral protrusion 216 can be a projection of material from the first spring member 214 in a direction away from the central axis (e.g., not illustrated in
As illustrated in
The second spring member 220 can include a second lateral protrusion 222. The second lateral protrusion 222 can, accordingly, be a projection of material from the second spring member 220 in a same direction as the bias of the second lateral protrusion 222. That is, the second lateral protrusion 222 can be a projection of material from the second spring member 220 in a direction away from the central axis (e.g., not illustrated in
As illustrated in
The first spring member 214 and the second spring member 220 can be a pair of spring members 224-1. As illustrated in
The pairs of spring members 224 can be radially spaced apart from the central axis 212 of the middle cover 210. For example, the pairs of spring members 224 can be located radially outwards from the central axis 212 and around a perimeter of the middle cover 210.
As illustrated in
The first surface 306 can be a polished surface. As used herein, the term “polished” refers to a smooth surface. For example, the polished surface of the first surface 306 can allow for smooth motion of the dial 302 when the first lateral protrusion of the first spring member and the second lateral protrusion of the second spring member are in contact with the first surface 306. The polished surface of the first surface 306 may be created during manufacturing of the dial 302 (e.g., during molding), or may be created after manufacturing of the dial 302 by polishing (e.g., via rubbing, application of a chemical treatment, etc. or combinations thereof).
Additionally, although not illustrated in
The dial 402 can include the first surface 406 and the second surface 408. The middle cover 410 can include the first spring member 414 and the second spring member 420.
The first spring member 414 can include the first lateral protrusion 416 and a vertical protrusion (e.g., not visible in the bottom perspective view of
As illustrated in
As previously described in connection with
The first spring member 414 can include the first lateral protrusion 416 and a vertical protrusion (e.g., not visible in the bottom perspective view of
As previously described in connection with
The dial 402 can include the first surface 406 and the second surface 408. The middle cover 410 can include the first spring member 414 and the second spring member 420. Although not illustrated in
The first spring member 414 can include the vertical protrusion 418. When the middle cover 410 and the dial 402 are interfaced as in
While the first spring member 414 is illustrated in
As illustrated in
The dial 502 can be interfaced with the middle cover 510. The dial 502 can include the central axis 503. As previously described in connection with
The middle cover 510 can include the central axis 512 and be connected to the outer cover 528. For example, the middle cover 510 can be connected to the outer cover 528 such that when the dial 502 is rotated (e.g., about the central axis 503 of the dial 502), the middle cover 510 is stationary. That is, the dial 502 can be rotated about the middle cover 510.
Although not illustrated in
As previously described in connection with
When the dial 502 is interfaced with the middle cover 510 as illustrated in
Because the first lateral protrusion, the second lateral protrusion, and the vertical protrusion (e.g., of the first and second spring members) interface with the first surface and second surface of the dial 502, the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion can provide a constant force against the first surface and the vertical protrusion can provide a constant force against the second surface.
As such, when the dial 502 is rotated relative to the middle cover 510, the constant force against the first surface can be a friction force to prevent horizontal jitter and/or free rotation of the dial 502. As used herein, the term “horizontal jitter” refers to lateral movement during rotation of an object. For example, the constant force against the first surface (e.g., by the first lateral protrusion of the first spring member and the second lateral protrusion of the second spring member) can provide friction force when the dial 502 is rotated by a user such that the dial 502 resists horizontal jitter. Further, the dial 502 does not freely spin as a result of the friction force.
Additionally, when the dial 502 is rotated relative to the middle cover 510, the constant force against the second surface can be a friction force to prevent vertical jitter and/or free rotation of the dial 502. As used herein, the term “vertical jitter” refers to vertical movement during rotation of an object. For example, the constant force against the second surface (e.g., by vertical protrusion of the first spring member) can provide friction force when the dial 502 is rotated by a user such that the dial 502 resists vertical jitter. Further, the dial 502 does not freely spin as a result of the friction force.
As a result, spring members according to the disclosure can provide a friction force against a dial such that when the dial is rotated (e.g., by a user), the dial does not produce any jitter (horizontal or vertical) and does not spin freely. Additionally, the friction provided against the dial rotation can provide for a smooth, quality rotation when the dial is rotated, providing a solid and connected feel. Further, molding the spring members as part of the middle cover can reduce manufacturing costs as less parts are utilized. Accordingly, such an approach can provide a positive user experience and result in a desirable product for consumers, as compared with previous approaches.
In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.
The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 106 may refer to element 110 in
It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “coupled with” another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.
The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the method and applications, and use of the system and method of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
20180358195 | Deng et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |