Printer Controller Mode Selection for Medium Jam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers face issues with medium jam due to incorrect detection of medium presence by sensors, leading to interference and jamming, especially when using mediums with varying materials and widths, which complicates the sensor configuration and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A printer configuration that includes a printing head, conveyor, cutter, discharge roller, counter roller, and sensor, with a controller that classifies the medium into two types based on detection accuracy and adjusts the operation mode to prevent subsequent print control until the medium is correctly removed from the discharge rollers, thereby avoiding jamming without a complex sensor mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a high-performance sensor is used to detect various kinds of mediums, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection task by dividing mediums into two categories (first kind and second kind) based on their detection characteristics. This segmentation allows the use of a simple sensor configuration while maintaining adequate detection accuracy for each category through differentiated control modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the printer based on the detected medium type. By adjusting the operation mode (first mode for first kind, second mode for second kind), the system adapts to different medium characteristics without requiring a complex sensor, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a simple sensor configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates leading to erroneous detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configuration complexityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of mediums into two kinds based on their detection characteristics before the actual printing process. This preliminary action allows the system to set the appropriate operation mode in advance, preventing erroneous detection and ensuring accurate medium presence detection even with a simple sensor configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sensor detection results are used to set the operation mode, which in turn affects subsequent printing and detection operations. This feedback loop allows the simple sensor to achieve accurate detection by continuously adapting the system behavior based on detection outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If subsequent print control is permitted without verifying medium removal, then productivity is improved, but medium jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidjam prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary verification of medium removal status before permitting subsequent print control. By checking whether the medium has been properly removed from the discharge rollers before allowing the next printing operation, the system prevents jamming while maintaining high productivity through efficient conditional permitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with a sensor-based detection system combined with operational mode control. The sensor detects medium presence, and the controller uses this information to control subsequent printing operations, substituting mechanical verification with an automated sensing and control system that maintains reliability while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11370235B2Printer configured to set operation mode to one of first mode and second mode for appropriately determining whether to allow subsequent print control

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer includes: a printing head; a conveyor; a cutter for cutting the medium to provide a segmented medium; a discharge roller; a counter roller; a sensor for detecting whether the segmented medium remains between the discharge roller and the counter roller; and a controller configured to perform: setting an operation mode to one of a first mode and a second mode depending on a medium kind; controlling the printing head and the conveyor to perform a first print control on the medium; controlling the sensor to detect whether the segmented medium has been removed; and permitting a second print control to be performed. When the operation mode is the first mode, the second print control is permitted after the sensor detects whether the segmented medium has been removed. When the operation mode is the first mode, the second print control is permitted without controlling the sensor.