Movable Roller Mechanism for Tape Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tape printers, the movable roller can cause label tape to float and potentially jam during printing operations due to its separation from the output roller, leading to contact issues and mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a conveyor system with a motor-powered roller mechanism that moves between nip and release positions to securely manage the tape, reducing the likelihood of jamming by maintaining proper tension and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the movable roller is separated from the output roller during printing operation, then the printing operation can be performed, but the label tape may float and cause jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The movable roller is designed to dynamically change its position between a separated state during printing and a contact state during non-printing operations. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain productivity during printing while preventing tape jamming during other operations, resolving the contradiction between printing capability and jam prevention
2Productivity
If the movable roller is located at the separated position during printing, then the printing process can operate, but tape alignment and tension may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable roller is positioned in advance to maintain proper tape tension and alignment before the printing operation begins. By establishing the correct roller positioning and tape tension in advance, the system ensures both productive printing operation and precise tape alignment without compromising either aspect
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 effectively reduces the occurrence of jams by ensuring consistent tape alignment and tension, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling mechanism configured to power-transmittably couple the motor and the roller to each other and rotate the roller in a first direction during driving of the motor, the first direction being a rotational direction for conveying the printing medium downstream
Implementation Method 2
the printing medium is nipped by the roller and the opposed member
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes: a conveyor that conveys a printing medium; a printing device that prints an image; a roller provided downstream of the printing device in a conveying direction; an opposed member opposed to the roller; a motor; a coupling mechanism that power-transmittably couples the motor and the roller to each other and rotates the roller in a first direction during driving of the motor, the first direction being a rotational direction for conveying the printing medium downstream in the conveying direction; and a moving mechanism that moves the roller between (i) a first position at which the roller is power-transmittably coupled to the motor by the coupling mechanism, and the printing medium is nipped by the roller and the opposed member and (ii) a second position at which the roller is power-transmittably coupled to the motor by the coupling mechanism and separated from the printing medium.