Motorized Roll Support Elevator for Print Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large format printers often require significant user effort to manually raise and lower supports for heavy print media rolls, making the loading process time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A motorized elevator system with two rotatable shafts and two supports connected by a linear actuator, allowing both supports to be raised or lowered simultaneously with minimal user effort, using either an electric motor or a hand crank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual supports with cam or screw are used to raise heavy print media rolls, then the roll can be positioned in the printer, but significant user effort and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser effort to raise supportsVSAvoidtime to load roll

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical systems (cams or screws) with a motorized linear actuator that automatically positions the supports. The linear actuator converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, eliminating the need for manual turning of cams or screws and significantly reducing user effort and loading time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the motorized linear actuator autonomously raises and lowers the supports without requiring continuous manual intervention. The user simply activates the system, and it performs the positioning task independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If individual supports are raised manually at each end of the roll, then the roll can be positioned, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading speedVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operation of multiple supports into a single motorized linear actuator that simultaneously controls both supports. This consolidation allows both ends of the roll to be raised together in one automated motion, doubling the loading speed while simplifying user interaction to a single activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Weight of moving object

If heavier rolls are supported, then larger capacity is achieved, but more user effort is required to lift them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll weight capacityVSAvoiduser effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual lifting mechanics with a motorized linear actuator that provides automated positioning force. The motor can be sized to match the roll weight capacity, allowing heavy rolls to be supported and positioned with minimal user effort—essentially just activating the system rather than manually lifting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3174713B1Supporting a roll of print media and corresponding method

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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AI summary

In one example, an elevator for a roll of print media includes rotatable shafts oriented parallel to one another and translatable supports to support a roll of print media. Each support is operatively connected to the shafts such that rotating the shafts in a first direction raises the supports and rotating the shafts in a second direction opposite the first direction lowers the supports.