Movable Trench Cover Cutter Assembly for Clean Media Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers face challenges in achieving clean edges and efficiently disposing of dust/chips from cutting operations, particularly due to the impact of cutting steps on printable medium edges and the guidance of media through cutting areas.
Innovation Solution
A cutter assembly with a trench cover that is movable between supporting and open configurations, guided by an elastic element and an engaging element, to facilitate the movement of printable medium portions into a trench for disposal, using rotational and translational movements to manage the trench cover's position effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trench cover is used to support the printable medium during cutting, then the guidance and support of the medium is improved, but the mechanical stress on the trench cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trench cover is designed to be movable between a closed configuration (providing support during cutting) and an open configuration (receiving offcuts). This dynamic transformation allows the system to alternate between supporting the medium and collecting waste, reducing continuous mechanical stress on the cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting system is divided into separate functional zones: the cutting area with the movable trench cover for active cutting operations, and the waste receptacle area for collecting offcuts. This segmentation allows the trench cover to be lightweight and movable rather than requiring continuous structural support throughout the entire path.
2Productivity
If the trench cover is made movable to receive offcuts, then the disposal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trench cover serves multiple functions: it acts as a support surface during cutting, a movable barrier to separate the cutting area from the waste receptacle, and a guide for directing offcuts into the receptacle. By merging these functions into a single component, the system achieves efficient waste disposal without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically returns the trench cover to its closed configuration after it has been opened to receive offcuts, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system uses the weight and positioning of the cutter assembly itself to trigger the opening and closing actions.
3Ease of operation
If the cutter assembly engages the trench cover to open it, then the control of trench cover position is improved, but the force required to move the trench cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trench cover is opened only periodically when offcuts need to be discharged, rather than remaining continuously open. The elastic element stores energy during the closed position and releases it to assist in opening the cover, reducing the peak force required during the opening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element acts as a mechanical intermediary between the cutter assembly and the trench cover. It stores and releases mechanical energy to assist in moving the trench cover, reducing the direct force that the cutter assembly must exert to open and close the cover.
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 ensures clean edges and efficient disposal of offcuts by guiding and receiving medium portions, reducing mechanical stress on the trench cover and enhancing the cutting process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cutter assembly (10) to cut a printable medium (P), the cutter assembly (10) comprising: a trench (14) and a trench cover (16) configured to be movable between a supporting configuration C1 to support the printable medium P, and an open configuration C2... an elastic element (18) to move the trench cover (16) between the supporting configuration C1 and the open configuration C2
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cutter assembly for a printable medium comprises a cutter to cut the printable medium, a trench adjacent to the cutter, and a trench cover, the trench cover at least partially covering the trench. The trench cover is movable between a supporting configuration to support the printable medium, and an open configuration to receive portions of the printable medium in the trench. The cutter assembly comprises an elastic element for biasing the trench cover towards the supporting configuration. The cutter comprises an engaging element and the engaging element engages the trench cover to move the trench cover from the supporting configuration towards the open configuration.