Multi-Roll Printer Conveyance Path Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices require dedicated paths and components for each paper roll, leading to increased complexity and space requirements, as well as complex operations for rollers and sensors.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a common conveying path and holding part that overlaps and conveys paper sheets from multiple rolls, using a detecting sensor to manage the transition between rolls and control the conveying process, with a frictional force mechanism to ensure proper sheet handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated paths are provided for each paper roll, then each paper sheet can be conveyed reliably to the printing part, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conveyance paths of multiple paper rolls into a single common conveyance path. Paper sheets from different rolls are fed through a shared path to the printing part, eliminating the need for separate dedicated paths for each roll. This reduces device complexity and space requirements while maintaining conveyance reliability through proper sheet management mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The common conveyance path serves as a universal pathway that can handle paper sheets from any of the multiple paper rolls. The path is designed to accommodate sheets from different sources without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each roll, achieving multi-functionality in the conveyance system.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated paths are provided for each paper roll, then paper sheet conveyance can be controlled independently, but the number of components and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conveyance paths are merged into a single common path, reducing the total number of components such as rollers, sensors, and guides. The patent minimizes component quantity by sharing the conveyance infrastructure across all paper rolls while maintaining operational control through a centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The common conveyance path and its components serve multiple functions by handling paper sheets from different rolls. A single set of components performs the work that would otherwise require multiple separate sets, reducing the quantity of substances and materials needed in the system.
3Manufacturing precision
If operations of rollers and sensors are controlled for each dedicated path, then precise paper sheet handling is achieved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single set of rollers and sensors in the common conveyance path performs the handling function for all paper rolls. The operational control is simplified by managing one universal system rather than multiple independent systems, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precision through proper detection and conveyance mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting sensor automatically detects the presence of paper sheets and triggers the conveying operation without requiring complex manual control for each path. The system self-regulates the conveyance process based on sensor input, simplifying operational control while maintaining precise paper sheet handling.
4Device complexity
If a common conveying path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to manage paper sheets from multiple rolls simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting sensor acts as an intermediary between the paper sheets from multiple rolls and the common conveyance path. It detects the presence and status of sheets from different rolls and coordinates their conveyance through the shared path, making paper sheet management easier despite the common path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting sensor provides feedback about the presence of paper sheets to the controlling part, which then manages the conveyance operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to handle paper sheets from multiple rolls efficiently through the common path by adjusting operations based on real-time detection information.
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
Enables efficient and simple conveyance of paper sheets from multiple rolls to a printing part, reducing component count and operational complexity while maintaining uninterrupted printing.
Implementation Method 1
a first frictional force between the contacting member and the second paper sheet is larger than a second frictional force between the opposing member and the first paper sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer 11 includes a first housing part 23 that houses a first paper roll 21 that is a roll of a paper sheet P1, a second housing part 24 that houses a second paper roll 22 that is a roll of a paper sheet P2, a printing part 12 that prints on the paper sheet P1 and the paper sheet P2, a conveying part 14 that includes a holding part 19 that is configured to hold the overlapping paper sheet P1 and the paper sheet P2 respectively pulled out from a first paper roll 21 and a second paper roll 22, and conveys the paper sheet P1 out of the paper sheet P1 and the paper sheet P2 held by the holding part 19 to the printing part 12, a paper sheet sensor S1 that detects the presence of the paper sheet P1, and a controlling part 50 that makes the conveying part 14 convey the paper sheet P2 held by the holding part 19 to the printing part 12 when the paper sheet sensor S1 detects that there is no paper sheet P1 to be conveyed to the printing part 12.