Printer Feeding Unit Sorting Mechanism for Dual-Sided Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printers that record on both sides of a medium require large apparatus sizes, incur high development and manufacturing costs, and face issues with jamming and complex recovery processes due to specialized inverting units and interlocking control systems.

Innovation Solution

A printer design featuring a feeding unit with a sorting part, guiding part, and feeding part that allows for efficient sorting and feeding of recording media between identical or stacked printing units, reducing the need for large apparatus sizes and complex control systems, and simplifying the recording process without inverting units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an inverting mechanism is used to rotate the holding unit or thermal head unit to execute recording operations on both sides of the recording medium, then the recording operation can be executed for both sides of the recording medium, but the size of the apparatus is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording operation for both sidesVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into two independent printing units, each capable of performing recording operations independently. This eliminates the need for a single complex inverting mechanism, as each unit handles one side of the recording medium separately, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining dual-sided recording capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inverting the recording medium within a single printing unit, the patent inverts the approach by using two separate printing units positioned to print on opposite sides of the recording medium simultaneously or sequentially, eliminating the need for mechanical inversion components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an inverting mechanism is used to invert the recording medium for both-side recording, then the recording operation can be executed for both sides of the recording medium, but the space needed for moving members interlocked with inversion increases the apparatus size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboth-side recording capabilityVSAvoidspace for moving members

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The printing system is segmented into two independent printing units, each with its own holding unit and thermal head unit. This eliminates the need for interlocked moving members and inversion mechanisms, as each unit operates independently to print on one side of the recording medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not inverting the recording medium within a single unit, but rather by having two units positioned to print on opposite sides simultaneously, eliminating the volume required for inversion mechanisms and interlocked moving members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the same recording unit executes recording operations for both front side and back side of the recording medium, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but a long period of time is necessary until completion of recording operations for both sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidrecording operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The recording function is segmented into two independent printing units that can operate simultaneously or independently. This allows the front side and back side of the recording medium to be processed in parallel, significantly reducing the total recording time while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two printing units can operate simultaneously or in continuous sequence, eliminating the idle time required for inverting and repositioning the recording medium in single-unit systems. This continuous operation maintains high productivity while keeping the apparatus structure simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If specialized inverting units and interlocking control systems are used for two-side recording, then both-side recording is achieved, but development and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwo-side recording functionVSAvoiddevelopment and manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent, identical printing units that can be manufactured using the same processes and components. This modular approach reduces development costs by reusing designs and simplifies manufacturing compared to producing a single complex unit with inversion mechanisms and interlocking control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each printing unit is designed as a universal module capable of printing on one side of the recording medium. By using identical universal modules, the system achieves two-sided recording functionality while reducing development and manufacturing costs through component standardization and economies of scale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Adaptability or versatility

If the recording unit and inverting unit are controlled interlocking with each other, then coordinated two-side recording is achieved, but development and design costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordinated recording operationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent control units, each managing one printing unit. This eliminates the need for complex interlocking control between a recording unit and an inverting unit, as each printing unit operates independently with its own simple control system, reducing overall control complexity while maintaining coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of controlling a single unit to invert and reposition the recording medium, the patent inverts the control approach by having two independent control units that simultaneously or sequentially control their respective printing units, eliminating the complexity of interlocking control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10369810B2Feeding unit and printer

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD

AI summary

A first feeding unit is configured that is provided in a first printing unit that includes a first recording unit that executes a recording operation for a long strip-like recording medium pulled out from a first holding unit that holds the recording medium in a wound state. The first feeding unit further includes a pair of feeding rollers that sort the recording medium discharged from the first printing unit, to the side of a second printing unit stacked on the first printing unit or to the side opposite to that of the second printing unit. The first feeding unit temporarily accommodates the sorted recording medium and thereafter, feeds the recording medium to a guide path, and sorts the recording medium fed by the pair of feeding rollers, to the side of the second printing unit using a sorting part.