Bi-directional Motor Ejection Assembly for Kiosk Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kiosk printers are complex and expensive due to their need for multiple motors and components to perform printing, cutting, and ejection operations, which complicates their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional motor system that rotates in opposing directions to advance, cut, and eject a web of print media, with a D-shaped ejection roller that opens a door to facilitate web ejection and includes one-way clutches to manage the drive and ejection rollers independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors and components are used to perform printing, cutting, and ejection operations, then the printer can accomplish all required functions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (driving the web forward, cutting the web, and ejecting the web) into a single motor system. The motor rotates in different directions to engage different components: forward rotation engages the drive roller for web advancement, while reverse rotation engages the cutter for web cutting and the ejection roller for web ejection. This merging of functions reduces the number of motors and components, directly addressing the contradiction between functional capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor serves multiple functions by rotating in opposing directions. It acts as a drive motor for web advancement, a cutter motor for web cutting, and an ejection motor for web ejection. The motor's ability to perform multiple roles through bidirectional rotation implements the universality principle, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components
2Device complexity
If a single motor system is used to perform multiple functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the motor must rotate in opposing directions which may affect reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motor's operation into distinct rotational directions, each dedicated to specific functions. Forward rotation is dedicated to web advancement through the drive roller, while reverse rotation is dedicated to web cutting and ejection. This segmentation of functional operations by rotation direction allows the single motor to reliably perform multiple functions without interference, as each rotation direction is purposefully assigned to specific tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanism (such as a clutch or gear system) that acts as an intermediary between the motor and the various components. This intermediary selectively engages the drive roller, cutter, or ejection roller based on the motor's rotation direction, ensuring that only the appropriate component is activated for each function. This intermediary mechanism protects the system from improper engagement and maintains reliability while enabling multi-functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An ejection assembly for a printer is provided, the ejection assembly being disposed downstream of a print head in order to receive web from the print head. The ejection assembly can include an ejection roller and a door having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The door can be biased toward the closed configuration and toward the ejection roller. Upon rotation of the ejection roller, the ejection roller can force the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and can eject web past the door from the printer. In some embodiments, the ejection roller is rotated one full cycle, the ejection roller permits accumulation of web received from the print head and subsequently forces the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and ejects the accumulated web past the door from the printer. Also provided are a corresponding printer and method.