Medium Holder Movement Mechanism for Heavy Roll Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of medium rolls in liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, pose a significant burden on workers during handling and replacement operations, as they require greater effort and can be hazardous due to their weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A medium holder with a movement mechanism featuring rotating bodies that allow the medium roll to stand and move independently, reducing the need for manual lifting and cart usage, and incorporating a lock mechanism to prevent movement when an impact force is applied, ensuring safety and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the medium roll size and weight are increased to improve printing capacity and efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as workers face greater burden during handling and replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
A movement mechanism serving as an intermediary device is introduced between the heavy medium roll and the worker. This mechanism includes a rotating body that contacts the medium roll and converts small rotational movements into larger linear displacements, enabling workers to move heavy medium rolls with minimal effort by applying small torques to the rotating body.
2Loss of time
If the medium roll weight is increased to reduce the frequency of replacement operations, then the loss of time is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased safety risks during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism acts as a safety intermediary that decouples the heavy medium roll from direct worker handling. The rotating body with lock mechanism ensures controlled movement and prevents uncontrolled rolling, thereby maintaining safety even when handling very heavy medium rolls that are replaced infrequently.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement mechanism provides dynamic control over the medium roll through the rotating body. The lock mechanism allows the system to transition between a locked state (when stationary) and an unlocked state (when moving), enabling safe and controlled handling that adapts to the heavy weight of infrequently replaced medium rolls.
3Ease of operation
If a movement mechanism with rotating body is added to enable easy movement of medium roll, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the rotating body, the lock mechanism, and the support structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently and simplifies manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving the overall goal of easy medium roll movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body is designed to be manually operable without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The lock mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the operational state, allowing the system to self-regulate its locking state without additional complexity.
4Reliability
If the rotating body is made to absorb shock to protect against falls and impacts, then the reliability is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating body is designed with shock-absorbing characteristics that prepare it in advance for potential impacts or falls. This beforehand cushioning allows the rotating body to withstand impact forces without causing damage or injury, while the weight increase is minimized by optimizing the cushioning material and structure.
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 medium holder significantly reduces worker effort required for handling medium rolls, allows for safe and easy movement without carts, and provides protection against falls by using shock-absorbing materials and mechanisms, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a support member (adapter) is mounted onto an end portion of the medium roll in an axial direction... the medium holder unit includes a movement mechanism having a rotating body that moves the medium roll
Implementation Method 2
the rotating body is configured from a shock absorbing material... enabling an impact when the medium holder falls over, for example, to be softened
Data Source
AI summary
A medium holder according to the invention includes a medium roll being a wound medium, and a medium holder unit that is mounted onto an end portion of the medium roll in an axial direction. The medium holder unit includes a movement mechanism having a rotating body that moves the medium roll.