Optical Sensor Housing Blocks Disturbance Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional label printers may erroneously determine print modes due to disturbance light entering the sensor, leading to incorrect operation.
Innovation Solution
The printer design includes a configuration where the light receiving part of the optical sensor is positioned to avoid disturbance light, with the light emitting and receiving parts partitioned by housings and a light blocking part, ensuring that only necessary light enters the sensor, and the separation roller's position determines the print mode, allowing the firmware to accurately distinguish between continuous and separation print modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical sensor is exposed to the environment to detect light for print mode determination, then the print mode can be determined, but disturbance light may enter the sensor causing erroneous determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (housing with light blocking parts) between the optical sensor and the environment. This intermediary blocks disturbance light from reaching the sensor while allowing necessary light to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction between sensor exposure for detection and protection from harmful interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into multiple parts with specific light blocking configurations. The light blocking parts are strategically positioned to segment the light paths, allowing only specific directions of light to reach the sensor while blocking disturbance light from other directions.
2Reliability
If the light receiving part is positioned to detect light for print mode determination, then the determination can be made, but disturbance light may enter causing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The housing acts as an intermediary protective structure that positions the light receiving part while blocking disturbance light. This intermediary structure ensures reliable detection by filtering out harmful light interference while maintaining the necessary light detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing provides different light transmission properties in different locations: transparent or translucent portions allow necessary light to reach the sensor, while opaque light blocking parts prevent disturbance light from entering, creating local quality differences to achieve reliable detection.
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
This configuration effectively prevents erroneous determination of print modes, ensuring accurate operation by blocking unnecessary light and using the separation roller's position to determine the print mode, thus enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor used for determination of a print mode, and a determination part configured to determine the print mode based on the intensity of light detected by the optical sensor
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A printer includes: a first roller feeding a liner; a print unit printing information on a print medium temporarily adhering to the liner fed by the first roller; a second roller located at a first position when performing a print operation in a first print mode, and a second position when performing the print operation in a second print mode, at which second position the second roller rotates by the rotation of the first roller to separate the print medium from the liner; a reflective optical sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part arranged in an upward and downward direction defined when the printer is placed on a horizontal surface, and that is used to determine a position of the second roller; and a sensor housing containing the light receiving part. The sensor housing has a surface opposite to the light receiving part. The surface has an opening on a side of the light emitting part, and a light blocking part on a side opposite to the side of the light emitting part.