Printer Cutter Unit Sensor Integration for Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses with sensors to detect printed material require increased space for sensor installation, leading to larger device sizes and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A compact printing apparatus design that incorporates a detector, such as an optical sensor, downstream of the cutting blades within the cutter unit, allowing for downsized installation without expanding the printer's main body, and includes a protective cover to prevent lubricant and paper powder interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is installed to detect the printed material, then the detection function is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is integrated into the cutter main body, merging the detection function with the cutting unit. This eliminates the need for separate sensor housing and reduces overall device size while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detector is nested within the cutter main body structure, utilizing the existing spatial framework. The detector is positioned downstream of the first blade within the cutter unit, effectively using the cutter housing as the detector's mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the detector is placed downstream of the first blade, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the risk of lubricant and paper powder interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidlubricant and paper powder interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the detector and the harmful environment. The cover is configured to protect the detector from lubricant and paper powder while allowing light to pass through for detection purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover acts as a thin film barrier that selectively transmits light while blocking contaminants. This allows the detector to maintain accurate measurements without direct exposure to harmful substances in the cutting zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables efficient detection of printed medium presence and error determination, preventing paper clogging and maintaining stable sensor operation, while reducing the overall size of the printing apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

the detector may be an optical sensor arranged toward the transport space and configured to detect presence or absence of the printing medium in the transport space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11279152B2Printing apparatus and method of controlling printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a printing apparatus including a printing apparatus main body, a cutter unit attached to the printing apparatus main body, a fixed blade, a movable blade configured to mesh with the fixed blade to cut a printing medium, and a pickup sensor configured to detect a printing medium. The cutter unit incorporates the movable blade and the pickup sensor.