Printer Discharge Unit Medium Support Protrusion Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges with the curling of printed sheets, which restricts the pivot range of the discharge unit due to protruded portions intended to prevent curling, making maintenance operations difficult.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a discharge unit that has a medium support unit capable of adjustable protrusion, allowing reduced protrusion when open to increase pivot range and prevent interference with the scanner unit, along with a pinion and coordination mechanism to simplify adjustment and support large media sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a protruded portion is provided in the discharge unit to prevent sheet curling, then sheet curling is inhibited, but the pivot range of the discharge unit is restricted due to interference with the scanner unit
Solution Approach 1:
The medium support unit is designed to be movable between a protruded state (when discharge unit is closed) and a retracted state (when discharge unit is open). This dynamic adjustment allows the support unit to prevent sheet curling during printing while avoiding interference with the scanner unit during maintenance operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between sheet stability and maintenance accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the medium support unit relative to the discharge unit based on the operational state. When the discharge unit is closed, the support unit protrudes to maintain sheet flatness; when the discharge unit is opened for maintenance, the support unit retracts to eliminate interference with the scanner unit
2Ease of operation
If the discharge unit is made pivotable to improve maintenance accessibility, then maintenance operations become easier, but the pivot range is restricted by interference with the scanner unit
Solution Approach 1:
The medium support unit dynamically adjusts its position based on the discharge unit's pivot angle. During maintenance when the discharge unit is pivoted open, the support unit retracts to clear the scanner unit, enabling full pivot range movement. During normal operation when the discharge unit is closed, the support unit protrudes to perform its sheet support function
3Length of moving object
If the medium support unit protrusion is reduced when the discharge unit is open, then the pivot range is increased, but the ability to support large media sizes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The medium support unit's protrusion amount is dynamically adjusted based on both the discharge unit position and the size of the medium being processed. For large media that extend beyond the standard support area, the support unit can maintain greater protrusion even when the discharge unit is partially open, while still allowing sufficient pivot range for maintenance operations
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a printing unit, a casing, a scanner unit disposed in an upper portion of the casing, and a discharge unit that, below the scanner unit, is connected to the casing pivotably between a closed position and an open position and that a sheet of paper is discharged to. The discharge unit includes a placement surface for the sheet and a medium support unit capable of supporting the sheet from below while in a state of being protruded from the placement surface. The medium support unit is displaceable between a maximum protruded position and a minimum protruded position. When the amount of protrusion of the medium support unit from the placement surface when the discharge unit is in the open position is less than the amount of protrusion of the medium support unit in the maximum protruded position from the placement surface.