Movable Print Stacking Layout for Compact Media Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses require a large installation space due to the stacking part being designed to accommodate various sizes of print media, causing the apparatus to protrude and increase in size.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus incorporates a stacking part that automatically expands and contracts to accommodate printed media, and moves in a direction orthogonal to its expansion/contraction direction to sort media, reducing the need for external space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stacking part is designed to accommodate various sizes of print media, then the adaptability is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking part is designed to move in the width direction rather than being fixed, enabling dynamic repositioning to accommodate different print media sizes. This dynamic movement allows the stacking part to adapt to various media widths without requiring the apparatus to have a large fixed footprint for all possible sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accommodating size variations in the depth direction (which would increase footprint), the stacking part utilizes movement in the width direction (orthogonal dimension). This dimensional shift allows adaptability to be achieved through lateral positioning rather than increasing the overall apparatus footprint.
2Area of moving object
If the stacking part protrudes from the printing apparatus to ensure stacking area, then the stacking capability is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking part moves in the width direction to dynamically create sufficient stacking area rather than permanently protruding. This movement capability allows the stacking part to extend into the necessary area during operation while maintaining a compact apparatus footprint when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking part is positioned in advance in the width direction before print media are stacked, ensuring sufficient stacking area is available when needed. This preliminary positioning allows the apparatus to maintain a compact footprint while still providing adequate stacking space during the stacking operation.
3Ease of operation
If the stacking part moves diagonally to sort print media, then the sorting capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking part moves in the width direction (orthogonally to the discharge direction) to achieve sorting, rather than complex diagonal movement. This simplified directional movement maintains sorting capability while reducing the complexity of the movement mechanism compared to diagonal trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of diagonal movement that would require complex coordinated motion in both length and width directions, the stacking part utilizes movement in the width direction alone. This dimensional simplification achieves sorting functionality with a less complex mechanism by operating in a single orthogonal dimension.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~B2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A technology that enables downsizing of an apparatus is to be provided. A printing apparatus (1) includes: an accommodating unit (121,131) configured to accommodate a print medium; a conveyance unit (2) configured to convey the print medium fed from the accommodating unit (121,131) in a first direction (Y); a printing unit (3) configured to perform printing on the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit (2); and a first stacking part (42) configured to stack the print medium, on which printing has been performed by the printing unit (2), at a first position and a second position which is different from the first position in a second direction (X) intersecting with the first direction (Y), wherein the first stacking part (42) is arranged above the accommodating unit (121,131), below the printing unit (3).