Printer Cutter Stage Protrusion Prevents Paper Jam
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printers with cutters, cut-off paper portions often accumulate at the paper exit, leading to interference with the movable knife and causing defective cuts, as the bottom edge of the paper exit is typically positioned below the cutting edge, causing the cut-off portions to curl and potentially get stuck.
Innovation Solution
A cutter design with a stage surface at the paper exit featuring a protruding part and an inclined guide surface, which renders the cut-off portions unstable and allows them to slide down easily, preventing accumulation and interference with the movable knife.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the bottom edge of the paper exit is positioned below the cutting edge of the fixed knife, then the vertical size of the opening is reduced and foreign matter is prevented from insertion, but the cut-off portion is pushed below the bottom edge and becomes curled, causing accumulation and interference with the movable knife
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a horizontal dimension to the paper exit structure by adding a stage surface that extends in the cutting direction. This stage surface creates a horizontal platform below the paper exit opening, allowing cut-off portions to be discharged horizontally along the stage surface rather than vertically accumulating at the bottom edge. The protruding part and inclined guide surface further enhance this horizontal discharge path, guiding cut-off portions away from the cutting area without requiring the bottom edge to be positioned higher.
2Ease of operation
If the bottom edge of the paper exit is defined by a stage surface, then the cut-off portion is not pushed down or caused to curl, but the discharged cut-off portions can easily be left on the stage and collect in a pile when roll paper is repeatedly cut into short lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an inclined guide surface as an intermediary element between the stage surface and the external environment. This inclined guide surface acts as a mediator that transforms the horizontal discharge path into a downward-sloping path, guiding cut-off portions away from the stage surface and preventing them from accumulating. The protruding part serves as another intermediary that creates an unstable condition for cut-off portions, causing them to naturally slide down the inclined guide surface rather than remaining stationary on the stage.
3Ease of operation
If the bottom edge of the paper exit is positioned below the cutting edge of the movable knife at the cutting-completed position, then the movable knife does not push the upstream end part of the cut-off portion down, but the cut-off portion may still accumulate and interfere with the movable knife during subsequent cutting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by creating conditions that prevent cut-off portions from accumulating in the first place. The protruding part is positioned to create an unstable condition for cut-off portions as soon as they are discharged, causing them to naturally slide down the inclined guide surface. This preliminary prevention mechanism ensures that cut-off portions do not accumulate to interfere with subsequent cutting operations, thereby maintaining reliable cutting quality without requiring the bottom edge to be positioned higher than the movable knife.
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 effectively prevents cut-off portions from accumulating, avoiding interference with the movable knife and ensuring smooth cutting operations by making the cut-off portions unstable and enabling them to slide down the inclined guide surface, thus preventing accumulation and cutting issues.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined guide surface formed at the downstream side of the stage surface in the paper discharge direction extending down in the discharge direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cutter and a printer having a cutter prevent the paper pieces cut off by the cutter from collecting at the paper exit from which the cut-off pieces are discharged. A stage surface 40defines the bottom edge 5a of the paper exit 5. A sloped guide surface 41 is formed sloping down from the downstream side of the stage surface 40. A first side wall 42 determines where one side of the width of the paper passes over the stage surface 40 and the sloped guide surface 41. A second side wall 43 determines where the other side of the width of the paper passes. A protrusion 47 is formed on the first side wall 42 protruding toward the second side wall 43.When label paper 11 is cut, the cut-off portion 11c is deposited on the stage surface 40 covering the top of the protrusion 47. As a result, the cut-off portion 11c is made unstable by the protrusion 47 immediately after being deposited on the stage surface 40, and slides down easily. The cut-off portion 11c slides down from the stage surface 40 along the sloped guide surface 41, and is discharged smoothly from the paper exit 5.