Printing Apparatus Carriage and Cutter Unit Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing apparatuses that cut long printing media, the frequent disengagement of the carriage and cutter unit after each cut increases the movement distance of the carriage, leading to reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
The carriage and cutter unit remain connected after cutting, allowing the printing unit to continue printing on the next medium while moving, with the cutter unit following the carriage to maintain continuous operation and reduce unnecessary movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carriage and cutter unit are disconnected after each cut, then the cutting operation can be completed, but the movement distance of the carriage increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carriage and cutter unit by maintaining their connection after cutting operations. The cutter unit is integrated with the carriage such that it follows the carriage movement without requiring disengagement, thereby reducing unnecessary movement cycles and improving throughput while maintaining cutting functionality.
2Productivity
If the carriage moves to reconnect with the cutter unit after each cut, then the cutter unit can perform the next cut, but the frequent disengagement and reconnection increases movement distance
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter unit is preliminarily positioned to follow the carriage continuously without disengagement. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for repeated connection and disconnection actions, reducing movement distance while ensuring the cutter unit is always in position to perform cutting operations when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided with printing apparatus. A printing unit prints an image on a printing medium and is able to move. A cutter unit is able to connect with or separate from the printing unit, and, by following a movement of the printing unit, cuts the printing medium. A control unit, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied after the printing medium is cut by the cutter unit, causes the printing unit to perform printing on a succeeding printing medium, while moving the printing unit in a state in which the cutter unit is connected with the printing unit.