Cut-and-Roll Sheet Printing With Detachable Receiving Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing apparatuses that allow for variable sheet sizes may unintentionally perform printing without a placement unit attached, leading to damage of discharge sheets and reduced printing quality.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a conveyance unit to handle both roll and cut sheets, a detachable receiving unit for cut sheets, a detection unit to verify the receiving unit's attachment, and a holding unit to secure printed cut sheets when the receiving unit is not attached, preventing sheet drop and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving unit is made detachable to handle various sheet sizes, then the adaptability of the apparatus is improved, but the reliability of sheet handling deteriorates because unintended printing may occur when the receiving unit is not attached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle various sheet sizesVSAvoidprinting quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit detects whether the receiving unit is attached before the conveyance unit conveys the sheet to the printing unit. This preliminary detection prevents unintended printing by stopping the conveyance process when the receiving unit is missing, thus maintaining printing quality while preserving the detachable receiving unit's versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit provides feedback information about the receiving unit's attachment status to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the conveyance operation to either proceed with printing or cancel the conveyance, ensuring reliable sheet handling while maintaining the detachable configuration for various sheet sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the receiving unit is detached to access or replace it, then the ease of operation is improved, but the discharge sheet may drop and receive unnecessary damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of receiving unitVSAvoiddamage to discharge sheet

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit performs preliminary detection before sheet conveyance to ensure the receiving unit is attached. This prevents damage to discharge sheets during normal operation, while still allowing users to detach the receiving unit when needed for maintenance or replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit acts as an intermediary between the receiving unit and the conveyance system. It monitors the attachment status and provides information to the control unit, which then decides whether to proceed with conveyance, thus protecting sheets from damage while allowing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12403705B2Printing apparatus for printing on cut sheets and roll sheets

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to be able to convey a roll sheet that is wound in a rolled shape and a cut sheet that is not wound in a rolled shape to a printing unit configured to print an image; a receiving unit detachably attached to the apparatus, the receiving unit being configured to receive the cut sheet onto which printing has been performed by the printing unit; a detection unit configured to detect whether the receiving unit is attached to the apparatus; and a holding unit configured to, in a case where the detection unit detects that the receiving unit is not attached to the apparatus, nip to hold the cut sheet onto which printing has been performed by the printing unit.