Printer Cutting Assembly Ejector Posts Prevent Media Lodging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting assemblies for printers often result in cut media becoming lodged between the cutting assembly and printer housing due to gaps, and media with adhesive backing can adhere to the movable blade, making removal difficult.
Innovation Solution
A cutting assembly with a cutting frame and blade housing that includes a plurality of ejector posts to prevent cut media from falling into gaps and a restraining member to prevent adherence, ensuring efficient cutting and discharge of media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gaps are provided between the cutting assembly housing and printer housing, then the movable blade can move during cutting operation, but cut media can fall into the gaps and become lodged between components
Solution Approach 1:
Ejector posts are introduced as intermediary elements between the blade housing and printer housing. These posts extend into the gaps to act as mediators that prevent media from falling into the gaps while allowing the blade to move freely during cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is segmented into multiple components (cutting assembly housing, printer housing, blade housing) with gaps between them. Ejector posts are added as separate elements that fill these gaps selectively, allowing the system to maintain both movement capability and media containment
2Productivity
If the movable blade is designed to cut media, then cutting function is achieved, but adhesive backing on media may adhere to the blade making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Ejector posts perform preliminary action by engaging with the media before the blade completes the cutting operation. This preliminary engagement prevents the adhesive backing from adhering to the blade by removing or repositioning the media before the cutting edge contacts it
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector posts extract or remove the media from potential contact with the blade's adhesive surface. By taking out the media before the cutting operation completes, the system prevents the harmful adhesion effect
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting assembly for a printer that includes a cutting frame that has opposing side walls is provided. The cutting assembly further includes a blade housing slidably mounted in the cutting frame for slidable movement along the side walls and a blade fixed in the blade housing that includes a cutting edge. The cutting assembly further includes a plurality of ejector posts that extends from the blade housing in a direction of blade housing slidable movement and past the cutting edge to engage media being cut by the cuffing edge.