Printer Discharge Tray Position Control Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a compact installation area while preventing printing media from being drawn into the main body when the discharge tray is accommodated automatically, often requiring additional components like cover members, which increase costs and risks of media drop during tray changes.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses a storage unit to set and store information inhibiting the accommodation of the discharge tray if certain conditions are met, ensuring the printing medium is not drawn into the apparatus, without the need for additional members, utilizing a control unit and storage unit to manage the discharge tray's extension and accommodation based on operational flags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the discharge tray is accommodated in the apparatus to reduce installation area, then the installation area is reduced, but the printing medium may be drawn into the apparatus main body
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks whether printing medium is present on the discharge tray before initiating accommodation. This preliminary check prevents the tray from being accommodated when medium is present, thereby avoiding medium draw-in while still allowing accommodation when the tray is empty, achieving both compact installation area and reliable medium protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection information about the presence of printing medium on the discharge tray to feedback control the accommodation operation. The control unit adjusts the accommodation action based on this feedback, stopping or preventing accommodation when medium is detected, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and medium safety
2Reliability
If a cover member is added to close the discharging port before accommodating the discharge tray, then medium draw-in is prevented, but the cost and size of the apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray itself serves dual purposes: it both holds the printing medium and acts as the component to be accommodated. By controlling the accommodation based on medium presence detection, the system eliminates the need for separate cover members or additional protective structures, achieving medium protection without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge tray is made multi-functional: it serves as both the medium support surface and the movable component for accommodation. This universal design allows the same structure to perform multiple functions, eliminating the need for additional cover members and reducing overall apparatus complexity while still preventing medium draw-in through control logic
3Ease of operation
If the discharge tray is accommodated automatically to reduce manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of medium drop increases when medium is stacked on the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a preliminary check for printing medium on the discharge tray before initiating automatic accommodation. When medium is detected, the accommodation is inhibited, preventing medium drop. When the tray is empty, automatic accommodation proceeds smoothly, maintaining ease of operation without compromising medium stability
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit that prints on a printing medium, and a discharge tray that is movable, by a motor, between an accommodated position and an extended position. An external tray is detachably attached to the printing apparatus. An operation unit displays a screen on a display screen to receive a moving instruction for moving the discharge tray, and confirmation of removal of the printing medium from the discharge tray. When the operation unit receives a moving instruction for moving the discharge tray from the extended position to the accommodated position, a control unit moves the discharge tray after receiving confirmation from a user, via the screen, that the printing medium has been removed from the discharge tray, and, when the external tray is attached to the printing apparatus, the control unit does not move the discharge tray from the accommodated position to the extended position.