Cutting Plotter Belt Layout for Compact Tool Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting plotters with chain-type driving devices require large installation spaces due to the need for tensioning wheels and chains, leading to increased volume and inconvenience in use.

Innovation Solution

A cutting plotter design utilizing a belt assembly with steering and tensioning belt wheels, reducing the distance between parallel parts and incorporating a compact cutting tool assembly with a sliding seat and pressing mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly of the cutting tool body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a chain-type driving device is installed, then the cutting tool can be driven horizontally, but the installation space increases and the overall volume of the cutting plotter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal movement of cutting toolVSAvoidoverall volume of cutting plotter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chain-type mechanical driving device with a rodless cylinder pneumatic/hydraulic system. The rodless cylinder directly drives the cutting tool horizontally without requiring chains, driving wheels, or tensioning wheels, thereby eliminating the need for large installation space while maintaining the horizontal movement function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the chain, driving wheels, and tensioning wheels from the driving system. By taking out these space-consuming components and replacing them with a compact rodless cylinder, the overall volume of the cutting plotter is reduced while preserving the essential horizontal driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If tensioning wheels and chains are arranged to guarantee chain tension, then the driving function is ensured, but the span of parallel parts of the chain increases and installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain tension guaranteeVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the chain-driven mechanical system with a rodless cylinder system that inherently maintains driving force without requiring tensioning mechanisms. The rodless cylinder provides direct linear motion with built-in force transmission, eliminating the need for separate tensioning wheels and chains, thus reducing installation space while ensuring reliable driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If a belt assembly with steering and tensioning belt wheels is used, then the distance between parallel parts is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance between parallel partsVSAvoidbelt assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the steering belt wheels and tensioning belt wheels from the belt assembly. By taking out these complex components, the belt assembly is simplified into a more straightforward configuration that still achieves the goal of reducing the distance between parallel parts, thereby lowering device complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4397461B1Cutting plotter
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SHENZHEN AIDUODUO TECH CO LTD
  • EP4397461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397461B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4397461B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting plotter includes a cutting plotter shell (10), a placement plate (20) disposed outside the cutting plotter shell (10), an upper transmission assembly (50) and a lower transmission assembly (40) disposed at two ends of the cutting plotter shell (10), and a belt assembly (60) disposed in the cutting plotter shell (10). The lower transmission assembly (40) and the upper transmission assembly (50) correspond to each other to assist paper in entering the cutting plotter. A slide rod (70) is disposed in the cutting plotter shell (10) and located at the top of the upper transmission assembly (50), and a cutting tool assembly is disposed on the slide rod (70). The belt assembly (60) includes a driving motor (601). A belt body (603) is steered through a steering belt wheel (606) of the belt assembly (60), and the distance between parallel parts of the belt body (603) is decreased through two small-radius tensioning belt wheels (607), such that the chain installation space is reduced and the cutting plotter is compact.