Cutting Device Blade Positioning to Prevent Tape Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tape printing devices face issues where the leading end of curled tape may inadvertently get caught in the gap between the tape conveying path and the cutting blade receiving member.

Innovation Solution

The cutting device includes a blade receiver, a cutting blade, a support member, and a path-forming part, where the cutting blade is positioned further upstream in the conveying direction relative to the intersection point of virtual lines, preventing the tape from entering the gap between the blade receiver and the path-forming part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cutting blade receiving member is positioned to receive the cutting blade during cutting operation, then the cutting operation can be performed, but the leading end of curled tape may get caught in the gap between the tape conveying path and the cutting blade receiving member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting operationVSAvoidtape conveying

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The path-forming part is positioned upstream of the cutting blade receiving member to pre-guide the tape into the correct path before it reaches the cutting area. This preliminary positioning prevents the tape from deviating or curling into the gap between the conveying path and the cutting blade receiving member, eliminating the need for post-correction and ensuring reliable tape conveyance throughout the cutting operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the tape is wound into a roll for storage and supply, then the tape can be conveniently stored and fed, but the tape curls into an arc shape during conveyance which causes the leading end to enter the gap between the blade receiver and the path-forming part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetape storage and supplyVSAvoidtape curling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The path-forming part acts as an intermediary element between the tape roll and the cutting blade receiving member. It provides a transitional guiding path that gradually directs the curled tape from its arc shape into the linear conveying path, preventing the tape from directly entering the harmful gap area while maintaining the convenience of roll-based storage and supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250108638A1Cutting device including blade receiver, cutting blade, support member supporting cutting blade, and path-forming part forming conveying path of tape

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A cutting device includes: a blade receiver having a first receiving surface; a cutting blade configured to cut a tape conveyed in a conveying direction; a support member; and a path-forming part. The path-forming part has a first end which is both an upstream end in the conveying direction and an end in a first direction. The first receiving surface has a second end which is a downstream end in the conveying direction. The support member has a third end which is an end in a second direction. The cutting blade is positioned further upstream in the conveying direction relative to an intersection point at which a first virtual line passing through both the first end and the second end and a second virtual line parallel to the conveying direction and passing through the third end intersect when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.