Cutter Home Sensor Shielding Against Dust and Grease in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of an optical sensor in a printer for detecting the home position of a cutter is prone to errors due to foreign substances such as grease and paper dust entering the sensor, which affects its functionality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a photosensor that includes a light-receiving/emitting section and a sensor substrate covered by a cover member, along with annular walls to protect the sensor from foreign substances and ambient light, ensuring accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical sensor is used to detect the home position of the cutter, then the detection precision is improved, but foreign substances such as grease and paper dust may enter the sensor, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent cover member is introduced as an intermediary between the optical sensor and the external environment. This cover member allows light to pass through for detection purposes while blocking foreign substances such as grease and paper dust from entering the sensor, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining detection precision and ensuring sensor reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent cover member functions as a thin film structure that selectively permits light transmission while preventing contamination. This thin film barrier maintains the optical path for precise detection while protecting the sensor from harmful foreign substances, addressing both detection precision and reliability requirements
2Ease of operation
If the photosensor is exposed to the environment for detection, then the detection function is maintained, but ambient light may interfere with the detection signal, worsening the measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent cover member provides selective protection: it is transparent to the detection light wavelength while potentially blocking or filtering ambient light. This local quality differentiation allows the detection function to operate while improving detection accuracy by reducing ambient light interference
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents foreign substances from entering the sensor, reducing errors and maintaining the reliability of the detection system.
Implementation Method 1
a photosensor configured to output a detection signal in accordance with rotation of the rotator and configured to include a light-receiving/emitting section including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a first blade that cuts a printing medium; a cutter motor; a drive gear that engages the first blade and is rotated by the cutter motor to drive the first blade; a rotator that rotates in conjunction with the drive gear; a photosensor that includes a light-receiving/emitting section including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element and that includes a sensor substrate that outputs a first detection signal or a second direction signal in accordance with whether or not detection light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element is blocked by the rotator; a first cutter frame that supports the photosensor; and a cover member that covers the sensor substrate between the cover member and the first cutter frame.