Long Medium with Dual-Edge Holes for Remaining-Length Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long media for printing patterns and characters lack precise indication of remaining length, leading to potential waste of ink, medium, and time due to inaccurate estimation of remaining amount.
Innovation Solution
The long medium employs irregularly pitched holes on both sides to indicate remaining length with enhanced resolution, using first and second index holes on opposite edges to provide detailed remaining amount indication without increasing hole density or pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pitch between reference holes is increased or the number of holes serving as scales is increased to indicate remaining amount in more detail, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes both side edges of the long medium to arrange reference holes and scale holes, effectively transitioning from a one-dimensional arrangement to a two-dimensional utilization of space. This allows doubling the number of measurable segments without increasing the pitch between holes on a single edge, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The long medium is divided into multiple segments by reference holes and scale holes arranged on both side edges. Each segment between reference holes contains multiple scale holes that provide detailed measurements. This segmentation allows the remaining amount to be measured in fine increments without requiring excessive hole density throughout the entire medium
2Measurement precision
If the number of holes serving as scales is increased to double the resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reading difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the long medium have different hole configurations optimized for their specific functions. Reference holes are larger and spaced farther apart to serve as primary measurement markers, while scale holes are smaller and more densely packed to provide fine-grained measurements. This local differentiation allows users to easily distinguish between reference points and scale points, improving reading ease despite the increased number of holes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates asymmetry in hole characteristics between the two side edges and between different hole types. Reference holes differ in size and spacing from scale holes, and the arrangement on opposite edges provides complementary measurement perspectives. This asymmetric design helps users quickly identify different hole functions and improves the overall readability of the measurement system
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A long medium has a start end, a final end, a first side edge connecting the start end and the final end, and a second side edge connecting the start end and the final end. The long medium includes first reference holes formed at a first pitch along the first side edge, N pieces of first conveyance holes formed along the first side edge at a second pitch smaller than the first pitch, and formed between adjacent first reference holes, in which N is a positive integer, first index holes formed along the first side edge at a third pitch smaller than the first pitch and respectively positioned in first index hole forming areas each set between the adjacent first reference holes, and second reference holes formed at the first pitch along the second side edge.