Label Printer Reverse Feed and Photoelectric Sensor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label printers face issues with waste and inefficiency due to the forward movement of label paper and carbon ribbon, leading to wrinkling and sticking, and lack of precise positioning for accurate printing, especially with die-cut labels.
Innovation Solution
A label printer with a gear transmission system and elastic limit mechanism that allows for forward and reverse movement of label paper and carbon ribbon, combined with a photoelectric sensing mechanism for precise positioning and cutting, to reduce waste and improve printing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If label paper and carbon ribbon move in the same forward direction during printing, then the printing process is simple, but material waste increases and material utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse movement of label paper after printing. The label paper is fed forward during printing, then reversed and fed back into the printing position, allowing the carbon ribbon to be reused in the reverse direction. This inversion of the conventional unidirectional feeding process enables material reuse and reduces waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and reuses the carbon ribbon and label paper that would otherwise be discarded. By reversing the label paper and repositioning it for another printing cycle, the system recovers usable material portions, extending the utilization of both carbon ribbon and label paper beyond the conventional single-pass approach.
2Productivity
If label paper is continuously fed forward without reverse movement, then the printing operation is continuous, but label paper wrinkles and sticks together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by reversing the label paper immediately after printing before wrinkles can form. The reverse feeding mechanism prevents the accumulation of tension and deformation that would otherwise cause wrinkling and sticking, maintaining label paper surface integrity throughout continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If photoelectric sensor uses face-to-face arrangement of transmitting and receiving terminals, then detection accuracy is achieved, but device space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the transmitting terminal and receiving terminal are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner. The terminals are positioned to face each other across the minimal necessary distance, nesting the detection function into a compact form factor that reduces the overall sensor assembly space while maintaining detection accuracy.
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
The solution enables efficient utilization of label paper and carbon ribbon, prevents wrinkling and sticking, and ensures precise positioning and cutting of die-cut labels, enhancing material utilization and printing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The existing methods for detecting the spacing between die-cut label surface papers generally use a photoelectric sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A label printer and a label printing method for precise positioning thereof are provided. The label printer includes an outer shell and a label cartridge arranged inside the outer shell, a power mechanism and a control mechanism configured to control paper output of the label cartridge and winding and unwinding of a carbon ribbon, and a print head configured to realize label printing. An inner space of the label cartridge is reasonably planed, and a linear label paper output channel and a label rollback release space are arranged, thereby ensuring smoothness of paper feeding and paper rollback, and preventing label paper from wrinkling in a rollback process. A gear transmission system is improved to realize forward and reverse rotation of gears relying on the same electric motor. A photoelectric sensor with its own reflecting prism is arranged to reduce an occupied space of the label cartridge.