Friction Member Attachment via Segmented Frame

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium support units in printing apparatuses require cumbersome processes for attaching and detaching friction members, which complicates handling different types of media.

Innovation Solution

A medium support unit with a detachable frame and friction member, where the friction member has a higher static friction coefficient than the support surface, allowing easy attachment and detachment, and incorporating a low swelling member to prevent deformation and displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a friction member is attached using double-sided adhesive tape, then the friction member can be securely fixed to the support member, but the attachment process becomes cumbersome requiring alignment and wrinkle release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fixation of friction memberVSAvoidattachment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the attachment system into two parts: a frame with adhesive tape for easy attachment/detachment, and a separate friction member that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the friction member to be changed without the cumbersome process of reattaching adhesive tape, resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame acts as an intermediary between the support member and the friction member. The frame is attached to the support member using adhesive tape, while the friction member is attached to the frame. This intermediary structure allows easy attachment and detachment of both components without direct adhesive contact between the friction member and support member, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a friction member is detached and reattached, then different types of media can be accommodated, but time is lost during the attachment and detachment process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different media typesVSAvoidtime for attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the friction member from the support member structure and introducing a frame as an intermediate component, the invention enables rapid attachment and detachment. The frame can be quickly attached to the support member, and different friction members can be rapidly swapped on the frame, significantly reducing the time loss when accommodating different media types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is pre-attached to the support member in a preliminary action, so that when different media types need to be accommodated, only the friction member needs to be changed on the already-positioned frame. This preliminary attachment of the frame structure reduces the overall time required for adapting to different media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the friction member is made of material with high friction coefficient, then medium displacement is prevented, but the material is prone to swelling and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of medium displacementVSAvoidresistance to swelling and deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite material structure where the friction member is made of a material with high friction coefficient for effective medium holding, while a low swelling member is attached to the back surface of the friction member. This composite construction allows the friction member to maintain its high friction properties for preventing medium displacement while the low swelling member compensates for and prevents swelling and deformation of the friction member material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and reliable attachment and detachment of the friction member, preventing medium displacement and swelling-induced deformation, while maintaining medium stability during printing.

Implementation Method 1

a friction member which has a static friction coefficient to the medium higher than that of the support surface, the friction member being attached to the frame so as to cover the support surface when the frame is attached to the support member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10654295B2Medium support units, printing apparatuses, and methods for attaching and detaching friction member

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A medium support unit which supports a medium while printing is performed on the medium by a printing apparatus, the medium support unit including: a support member having a support surface that supports the medium; a frame which is detachably attached to the support member; and a friction member which has a static friction coefficient to the medium higher than that of the support surface, the friction member being attached to the frame so as to cover the support surface when the frame is attached to the support member.