Ink Ribbon Cassette Mounting Section for Stable Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink ribbon technologies face issues with communication disruptions due to the rotation of winding cores, damage to identification information recording parts from pressure, and increased costs due to the need for separate connection members during ink ribbon exchanges.

Innovation Solution

An ink ribbon cassette with a mounting section that supports the core rotatably, featuring an identification information recording part mounted on the mounting section rather than the core, allowing for stable communication and reducing costs by allowing the reuse of the body case and connection member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the identification information recording part is provided to the circumferential surface of the winding core, then the ink ribbon can be wound tightly, but communication may be disrupted due to rotation of the winding core

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink ribbon lengthVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identification information recording part from the winding core by mounting the recording part on a separate mounting section. This segmentation allows the winding core to rotate for ink ribbon conveyance while the mounting section with the identification information remains stationary relative to the antenna, ensuring continuous communication without disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the identification information recording part is mounted on the winding core, then integration is simplified, but the recording part may be damaged due to pressure from the ink ribbon tape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoidpressure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the identification information recording part from the winding core and mounts it on a separate mounting section. This extraction protects the recording part from pressure damage caused by the ink ribbon tape winding, while the mounting section provides a stable, pressure-free environment for the recording part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the identification information recording part is mounted on the axis of the winding core, then the core can be compact, but the position changes with rotation affecting communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding core sizeVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification information recording part from the rotating axis by mounting it on a separate mounting section. This allows the axis to remain compact for winding the core while the mounting section positions the recording part at a fixed location that does not change with rotation, ensuring reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the connection member is exchanged with the ink ribbon, then the system remains simple, but the cost of consumables increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidconsumable cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mounting section with the connection member, creating a single integrated component. This allows the connection member to be reused across multiple ink ribbon exchanges, reducing consumable costs while maintaining system simplicity through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3141394B1Ink ribbon, ink ribbon cassette and printer
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3141394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3141394B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3141394B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An ink ribbon (1A) includes a core (20) and a mounting section. The core is configured to be wound with an ink ribbon tape (2). The mounting section (4A) is mounted with an identification information recording part (3) in which identification information of the ink ribbon tape is recorded to be inputtable and outputtable. The mounting section includes at least one hole section (40) which supports at least one end portion of the core to be rotatable. The mounting section covers at least a part of the core via the ink ribbon tape wound around the core in a state where the core is rotatable.