Cutting Apparatus Dual Passageway Guide Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting apparatuses in printers risk double cutting of media due to the movement of the cutter holder, which can lead to the medium being cut again during the returning movement, and this can cause bending or breaking due to the load applied to the medium.

Innovation Solution

A cutting apparatus with a casing that includes a first passageway for cutting the medium and a second passageway where the medium does not contact the cutting blade, along with a guide portion that switches between these passageways based on the direction of the cutter holder's movement, preventing double cutting and reducing the load on the medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutter holder moves back and forth to cut the medium, then the cutting function is achieved, but the medium may be cut twice (double cutting) during the returning movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionVSAvoiddouble cutting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passage is segmented into two distinct paths: a first passage for cutting operation and a second passage for non-cutting return movement. This segmentation allows the cutter holder to perform different functions in different passages, eliminating double cutting while maintaining cutting productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that directs the medium into the appropriate passage based on the cutter holder's movement direction. The guide portion mediates between the cutter holder's back-and-forth motion and the medium's path, ensuring the medium only contacts the cutting blade during the outgoing movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the medium is pushed toward the downstream side during the returning movement to prevent double cutting, then double cutting is reduced, but the medium is subjected to load that may cause breaking or bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedouble cutting preventionVSAvoidmedium integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The passage is segmented into two distinct paths: a first passage for cutting operation and a second passage for non-cutting return movement. This segmentation allows the cutter holder to perform different functions in different passages, eliminating double cutting while maintaining cutting productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that directs the medium into the appropriate passage based on the cutter holder's movement direction. The guide portion mediates between the cutter holder's back-and-forth motion and the medium's path, ensuring the medium only contacts the cutting blade during the outgoing movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9751298B2Cutting apparatus, cutting method, and printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A cutting apparatus includes a cutting blade that cuts a medium and a casing that holds the cutting blade. The casing has a first passageway in which the medium passing through contacts the cutting blade and a second passageway in which the medium passing through does not contact the cutting blade.