Bi-directional Cutting Module with Dynamic Blade Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Media handling systems in machines like scanners, printers, and shredders face challenges in efficiently cutting media along different angles and paths, as existing solutions do not provide sufficient flexibility and precision in cutting-edge and tilt angles, affecting the cutting performance.

Innovation Solution

A media cutter module with a carriage and cutting blade system that allows for dynamic adjustment of cutting-edge and tilt angles through a movable fitting pin, enabling bi-directional cutting by modifying the orientation of the cutting blade based on reaction forces during media interaction, and can include a support surface for enhanced cutting precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixed cutting blade orientation is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cutting precision and flexibility for different angles are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is made dynamically adjustable through a fitting pin mechanism that allows the blade orientation to change based on operational requirements. The fitting pin can be positioned at different locations on the carriage, enabling dynamic adjustment of cutting-edge and tilt angles without complex mechanical reconfiguration systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cutting system by allowing the fitting pin to be positioned at different coordinates on the carriage. This parameter adjustment mechanism enables variation of cutting-edge angle and tilt angle, providing flexibility for different cutting applications while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single cutting direction is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability for different cutting paths is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting direction flexibilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting module is designed with universal adaptability to perform cutting operations in multiple directions. The carriage can move along both the media path direction (Y-axis) and media path width (X-axis), enabling the same device structure to handle different cutting paths and orientations without requiring multiple specialized cutting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds dimensional flexibility by enabling carriage movement in two orthogonal directions (X-axis and Y-axis). This dimensional expansion allows the cutting system to accommodate various cutting paths including cross-cuts, longitudinal cuts, and angled cuts, transforming a single-direction cutter into a multi-directional cutting system.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the cutting blade orientation is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the precision for bi-directional cutting is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebi-directional cutting precisionVSAvoidblade orientation adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade orientation is made dynamic through the fitting pin mechanism, which allows the blade to be repositioned relative to the carriage based on the cutting direction. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures precise cutting in both forward and reverse directions by optimizing the blade angle for each cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting pin mechanism introduces asymmetric positioning capability, where the blade can be oriented differently depending on the cutting direction. This asymmetric adjustment allows the system to optimize cutting precision for each direction independently, rather than using a symmetric fixed orientation that would compromise precision in either direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3946960B1Bi-directional cutting modules
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3946960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3946960B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3946960B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

According to an example, a cutting module may comprise a carriage and a cutting blade, wherein the carriage may be capable of reciprocating movement along a cutting path. The carriage may be supported by a support structure and the cutting blade may have a fitting pin to engage with the carriage. During a first direction movement along the cutting path, the fitting pin may obtain a first cutting-edge angle. During a second direction movement along the cutting path, the fitting pin may obtain a second cutting-edge angle.