Printer Curl Correction via Reverse Bending and Tension-Driven Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers with curl correction mechanisms fail to effectively correct the curl of rolled paper throughout its entire feeding range, especially as the paper roll diameter decreases, leading to reduced curl correction efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a reverse bending member and a bifurcated member that collaboratively correct the curl of the paper by bending it towards the opposite side of the curl, with the bifurcated member's upstream and downstream arms adjusting based on paper tension to enhance curl correction across the feeding range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pressing roller is used to correct paper curl by moving downstream within play range, then some curl correction effect is achieved at the end point, but the paper is hardly pressed at the start point and correction stability deteriorates as paper roll diameter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pressing the paper at the downstream end point only, the invention introduces a reverse bending member that bends the paper in the opposite direction of the curl at the start point of the feeding route. This inverted approach addresses the weakness at the start point where the pressing roller fails to apply sufficient pressure, thereby improving correction stability across the entire feeding range including when paper roll diameter decreases
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the curl correction function into two separate components: a reverse bending member that bends the paper opposite to the curl direction at the start point, and a pressing roller that presses the paper at the downstream end point. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function at different locations, improving overall correction precision and stability
2Manufacturing precision
If the rolled paper diameter decreases due to consumption, then the curl amount of the paper increases, but the weight decreases making the paper easier to move and reducing the pulling force available for correction
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse bending member applies the bending action at the start point of the feeding route, before the paper is fed through the pressing roller. This preliminary action addresses the curl early in the process when the paper is still under tension from being drawn from the roll, ensuring effective correction even when pulling force is reduced due to smaller paper roll diameter
3Adaptability or versatility
If a curl correction mechanism is added to the printer, then curl correction capability is provided, but the device complexity increases and no external power source is available to drive additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller is designed to be moved downstream automatically by the tension force of the paper itself during feeding, without requiring any external motor or power source. The reverse bending member utilizes the natural tension in the paper as it is drawn from the roll. This self-service approach adds curl correction capability while avoiding the complexity of powered mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The paper tension itself acts as an intermediary that drives the curl correction mechanism. The tension force in the paper during feeding automatically moves the pressing roller downstream and provides the force needed for the reverse bending member to bend the paper, eliminating the need for separate power sources and reducing overall device complexity
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
The solution achieves a strong and stable curl correction effect, ensuring the paper is ejected straight, even as the paper roll diameter decreases, by utilizing the paper tension to rotate the bifurcated member and increase contact with the reverse bending member, thus maintaining effective curl correction without relying on external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse bending member that bends a paper drawn from a rolled paper toward an opposite side to a curl of the paper
Implementation Method 2
a downstream arm, a tip of which is positioned between the reverse bending member and the feeding roller so as to be in contact with the paper, the downstream arm rotating in accordance with a tension level of the paper
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a reverse bending member that bends a paper toward an opposite side to a curl of the paper, and a bifurcated member to correct the curl of the paper with the reverse bending member. The reverse bending member is disposed between a paper drawing position and a paper feeding roller. The bifurcated member is swingably arranged about a shaft extending in a width direction of the paper. The bifurcated member includes an upstream arm and a downstream arm. The upstream arm has a tip positioned between the rolled paper and the reverse bending member, and moves toward or from the reverse bending member. The downstream arm has a tip positioned between the reverse bending member and the feeding roller to be in contact with the paper, and rotates in accordance with a tension level of the paper to press the upstream arm toward the reverse bending member.