Roll Medium Feeding Shaft with Movable Support for Stable Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll medium feeding shafts are inconvenient for users as they require manual handling and can cause damage or dirtiness when exchanging roll media, as they protrude and need to be inserted vertically, making it difficult to support them on a workbench without contact.

Innovation Solution

A roll medium feeding shaft with a holding member and a support part that allows the shaft to be movable along a rotary axis, enabling it to switch between states where it protrudes or does not protrude from the support part, allowing stable vertical support on a horizontal surface, preventing contact with the workbench.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the feeding shaft has protruded parts at both ends for securing to the printing apparatus, then the feeding shaft can be firmly mounted, but the user cannot place the feeding shaft vertically on a work bench during roll medium exchange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting firmnessVSAvoidroll medium exchange convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is designed to be movable inside the holding member along the rotary axis, allowing it to transition between protruding and non-protruding states. This dynamic adjustment enables the feeding shaft to be stable during mounting while facilitating convenient handling during roll medium exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding shaft is divided into separate components: the holding member and the movable shaft. This segmentation allows the shaft to move independently within the holding member, enabling the shaft to protrude for mounting stability while retracting for easy handling during roll medium exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the user holds the roll medium by one hand to insert the feeding shaft, then the feeding shaft can be inserted properly, but the user cannot handle heavy roll media

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding shaft insertion accuracyVSAvoidroll medium weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shaft design allows the feeding shaft to be placed vertically on the work bench with the shaft in the non-protruding state, providing stable support without requiring the user to hold the heavy roll medium. This eliminates the need for one-handed holding while maintaining proper insertion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If the roll medium is placed on the work bench for insertion, then the user can handle heavy roll media, but the roll medium may become dirty or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll medium handleabilityVSAvoidroll medium contamination and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shaft can be in the non-protruding state when the feeding shaft is placed vertically on the work bench, providing stable support. This allows the user to handle heavy roll media without placing them on the work bench, preventing contamination and damage while maintaining ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feeding shaft acts as an intermediary support tool. By placing the feeding shaft (with its support part) on the work bench instead of the roll medium, the user can handle heavy roll media without direct contact between the roll medium and the work bench surface, preventing contamination and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the shaft protrudes from the support part, then the feeding shaft can be easily handled, but the feeding shaft cannot be stably supported vertically on a horizontal surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding shaft handleabilityVSAvoidvertical support stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft's ability to move between protruding and non-protruding states allows it to adapt to different operational needs. When vertical support stability is needed, the shaft is in the non-protruding state. When handling is needed, the shaft can protrude. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and handleability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11167573B2Roll medium feeding shaft

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

According to an aspect of the invention, a roll medium feeding shaft to be inserted into a through hole of a roll medium formed by winding a long recording medium is provided. The roll medium feeding shaft includes a holding member configured to be inserted into the through hole and to be rotated about a rotary axis together with the roll medium, a support part provided to one end of the roll medium feeding shaft and configured to support the holding member in a vertical direction when placed on a horizontal surface, and a shaft provided inside the holding member.