Hinged Blade Mechanism for Automatic Printing Support Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading/unloading devices for printing supports in printers face issues with automatic handling of plates with clamping tags and unreliable adhesives, leading to jamming and printing defects.
Innovation Solution
An automatic loading/unloading device with a track that uses a hinged blade to securely hold and position printing supports, featuring guides for stable attachment and a feeder system for precise alignment, eliminating the need for adhesives and enabling automatic feeding and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to fix the board to the track, then the board can be securely positioned, but the adhesive may deteriorate over time causing jamming or printing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive element from the system entirely and replaces it with a mechanical hinged blade mechanism. The blade is articulated to the track and can rotate between a horizontal position (for plate insertion) and a vertical position (for securing the plate), eliminating the need for adhesive bonds that deteriorate over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesive system with a mechanical hinged blade system. The blade uses rotational movement and gravitational force to secure and release plates automatically, substituting the deteriorating adhesive bond with a reliable mechanical action that can be repeatedly activated without degradation.
2Device complexity
If the board has a flat surface without attachment guides, then the structure is simple, but automatic printing of plates with clamping tags fitted with attachment pins is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic hinged blade that can rotate between horizontal and vertical positions. When horizontal, the blade allows easy plate insertion; when vertical, it secures the plate firmly. This dynamic movement enables the system to adapt to different plate types (including those with attachment pins) while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The board is segmented into multiple functional zones: the horizontal blade for insertion, the vertical blade for securing, and guide surfaces for positioning. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling versatile plate handling without requiring the entire board structure to be complex.
3Device complexity
If manual plate removal is used, then the device is simpler, but automatic feeding and discharge of printed supports cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged blade system operates automatically using the track's own movement and gravitational force. As the track moves forward, the blade naturally rotates to the vertical position, automatically discharging the printed plate without requiring external manual intervention or complex additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade performs periodic rotational movements synchronized with the track's motion cycle: horizontal during plate insertion, vertical during printing, and returning to horizontal after discharge. This periodic action enables automatic feeding and discharge while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
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
This solution enhances printing speed, precision, and reliability by ensuring accurate positioning and automatic operation, preventing printing imperfections and allowing for rapid interchangeability of boards to accommodate different tag types.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the edge 31 of this blade is arranged to be fixed in an articulated way to a corresponding portion of the rim 221 of the opening 21 of said track. The articulated bond is obtained through a rigid system, for instance by means of a hinge 32 which allows rotation of at least 90° of the blade.
Implementation Method 2
a track 2 which is able to move on a suitable resting plane (not shown) of the printer by way of means of thrust
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Automatic loading/unloading device for printing supports in a printer including a track (2) able to slide on a suitable resting plane of the printer by way of a means of thrust, a board or blade (3) able to receive a printing support, substantially of rectangular shape, positioned in correspondence with an opening (21) substantially rectangular, created on said track, where said blade (3) has a portion of its edge (31) able to be bonded in an articulated way to a portion of the rim (221) of the opening (21) of said track and where the blade (3) has guides (34) able to allow a stable attachment between the board and the rear systems of attachment of the printing supports.