Printer Cam Mechanism for Space-Constrained Roll Paper Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers that use roll paper face challenges with space and cost due to the need for multiple drive sources and complex mechanisms to switch between printing, feeding, and decurling processes, leading to misalignment issues and increased installation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A printer design utilizing a single rotation axis connected to three cams: a first cam to switch the roller pair's distance, a second cam to adjust the printing head and platen roller distance, and a third cam to switch between transfer paths, allowing for synchronized switching between feedable, printable, and decurling states without additional drive sources or space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive sources are provided to switch between transfer paths and adjust roller distances, then the printer can perform printing, feeding, and decurling processes, but the installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drive sources are merged into a single drive source that operates a rotation axis with multiple cams. The first cam controls the pair of rollers, the second cam controls the printing head and platen roller, and the third cam controls the flap for transfer path switching. This consolidation reduces installation space and cost while maintaining the ability to perform printing, feeding, and decurling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
A single drive source is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating the rotation axis, which simultaneously drives three different cams. Each cam controls a different aspect of the printer operation (roller distance, printing head distance, transfer path selection), allowing one drive source to replace what would traditionally require three separate drive sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive sources are provided to switch between transfer paths and adjust roller distances, then the printer can perform printing, feeding, and decurling processes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drive sources are merged into a single drive source that operates a rotation axis with multiple cams. The first cam controls the pair of rollers, the second cam controls the printing head and platen roller, and the third cam controls the flap for transfer path switching. This consolidation reduces installation space and cost while maintaining the ability to perform printing, feeding, and decurling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
A single drive source is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating the rotation axis, which simultaneously drives three different cams. Each cam controls a different aspect of the printer operation (roller distance, printing head distance, transfer path selection), allowing one drive source to replace what would traditionally require three separate drive sources.
3Productivity
If the leading end of the paper extends through the ejection port during printing, then the paper can be fed continuously, but misalignment occurs due to pinching or grabbing
Solution Approach 1:
The second transfer path is configured to prevent the leading end of the paper from extending through the ejection port during the printing process. This preliminary prevention of misalignment issues allows continuous feeding to occur without the pinching or grabbing problems that would cause print position errors.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a first cam that is configured to change a distance between a pair of rollers, i.e. a drive roller and a pinch roller, wherein the pair of rollers are disposed opposite to each other with a paper therebetween and at least one of the rollers is configured to feed the paper along a transfer path by its rotation, a second cam that is configured to change a distance between a head for printing on the paper and a platen roller, wherein the head and the platen roller are disposed opposite to each other with the paper therebetween, and a third cam that is configured to switch the transfer path for the paper to a discharging transfer path or a decurl transfer path that are formed as different transfer paths. The first cam, the second cam, and the third cam are connected to a same rotation axis.