Double-Side Printable Printer Linear Return Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers that print on both sides of a sheet require a complex structure with many components, including a long return pathway and multiple rollers, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A printer design with a sheet support plate and movable cover plate that allows for a linear return pathway, reducing the number of rollers and components needed, and utilizing the supply unit to feed both unprinted and printed sheets back into the printing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional return pathway is used for double-side printing, then both sides of the sheet can be printed, but the printer size increases and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the return pathway with the existing feed-in pathway by having the printed sheet return through the same pathway used for feeding unprinted sheets. This eliminates the need for a separate return pathway and reduces the overall printer size while maintaining double-side printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed-in pathway is designed to serve dual functions: feeding unprinted sheets to the printing unit and receiving returned printed sheets. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and minimizes printer size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional return pathway with multiple rollers is used, then both sides of the sheet can be printed, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the return transport function with the existing feed-in rollers. The same rollers that feed unprinted sheets are used to receive and transport returned printed sheets back to the sheet case, eliminating the need for separate return rollers and reducing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed-in rollers are designed to perform multiple functions: feeding unprinted sheets from the sheet case to the printing unit, and receiving/transporting printed sheets back to the sheet case. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components required.
3Volume of stationary object
If the printing unit, return pathway, and cassette overlap vertically, then space is saved, but the printer structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the return pathway structure with the existing feed-in pathway structure. By using the same pathway and rollers for both feeding and returning sheets, the vertical overlapping arrangement becomes simpler rather than more complex, as no additional return pathway structure is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer including a printing unit for printing on a sheet, a cassette containing stacked sheets and located below the printing unit, a supply unit that feeds the sheet from the cassette toward the printing unit, a sheet support plate positioned in the printing unit where the sheet is placed during printing, and an opening formed on the sheet support plate. A cover plate is located in the printing unit and moves between a covering position to cover the opening and an uncovering position to uncover the opening. The cover plate is at the covering position during printing, and the cover plate is at the uncovering position when a pair of feed-out rollers rotates in a reverse direction to guide the sheet through the opening of the sheet support plate to a refeed position between the cassette and the supply unit.