Print Medium Buffering Flags for High Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-volume printers, print-medium buffering systems face issues with print medium accumulation leading to plot damage and feeding problems, especially with non-rigid materials, due to the increased quantity of print medium in the buffer zone causing the flags to slide and deform the material, resulting in paper jams.

Innovation Solution

A print-medium buffering system with a drive mechanism that moves finger-shaped flags between two positions, allowing the print medium to accumulate without contact, reducing damage and deformation, and incorporating sensors for controlled flag movement based on print medium position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the throughput of the printer is increased, then productivity is improved, but the quantity of print medium accumulating in the buffer zone increases causing plot damage and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidplot damage and deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flags movable rather than fixed. The flags can dynamically adjust their position between a first position (when print medium is absent) and a second position (when print medium is present), allowing them to adapt to varying accumulation conditions and prevent damage while maintaining high throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a drive mechanism as an intermediary between the sensor detection system and the flags. This intermediary translates sensor signals into controlled flag movement, enabling precise management of flag position to balance throughput and prevent plot damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If flags are provided to maintain print medium in a guided path, then reliability is improved, but the flags slide and deform non-rigid materials when medium accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flags are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically respond to print medium accumulation. When medium accumulates, the flags can be moved to a second position that prevents sliding and deformation, while still maintaining guiding function when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the presence and position of print medium, and this information is used to control the drive mechanism that adjusts flag position. This closed-loop feedback ensures flags are positioned optimally to prevent deformation while maintaining feeding reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a drive mechanism is added to move the flags, then plot damage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplot damageVSAvoidbuffering system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical flag actuation systems with a more simplified drive mechanism that can be controlled by sensor feedback. The drive mechanism uses basic mechanical components (motors, linkages) rather than complex mechanical systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the goal of preventing plot damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3148905B1Print-medium buffering

Publication Date: 2021.10.27 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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Figure 2A~3C
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AI summary

The present disclosure discloses print-medium buffering systems that have a set of print-medium-buffer flags (25) which, in one position, maintain a print medium in a guided path (G) as it passes through a print-medium buffer zone. A drive mechanism (30) is provided to move the set of print-medium-buffer flags away from the guided path, to a second position.