Printer Guide Member Segmentation for Paper Jam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing devices face issues with the recording paper being caught by the guide member when fed in the second direction after being cut, leading to potential jams and disruptions in the printing process.

Innovation Solution

The printing device incorporates a guide member with a guide portion that includes a first guide portion for the uncut portion and a second guide portion for the cut portion, positioned in a specific direction relative to each other to prevent catching during backward feeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single guide portion is used to guide the recording paper, then the structure is simple, but the recording paper gets caught when fed in the second direction after cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth paper feedingVSAvoidguide member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portion is divided into a first guide portion and a second guide portion positioned at different locations in the fourth direction. The first guide portion guides the uncut portion while the second guide portion guides the cut portion, preventing the recording paper from being caught during backward feeding. This segmentation allows each guide portion to handle specific paper sections appropriately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different guide portions are provided at different locations along the guide member in the fourth direction. The first guide portion is positioned to accommodate the uncut portion of the recording paper, while the second guide portion is positioned to accommodate the cut portion. This local differentiation ensures that each region of the guide member provides appropriate guidance for the specific paper configuration present at that location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the guide member is positioned to prevent paper catching, then paper feeding reliability improves, but the guide member structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper feeding reliabilityVSAvoidguide member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portion is segmented into multiple guide portions (first and second guide portions) positioned at different locations in the fourth direction. This segmentation enables the guide member to reliably handle both uncut and cut portions of the recording paper during backward feeding, preventing paper catching while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to prevent paper catching with a single complex guide structure, the invention inverts the approach by providing multiple simpler guide portions at different locations. Each guide portion handles a specific paper section, and together they achieve reliable paper feeding without requiring a single complex guide structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a single guide portion is used, then the guide member is simpler, but paper jams occur during backward feeding after cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidguide member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portion is divided into a first guide portion and a second guide portion positioned at different locations in the fourth direction. This segmentation prevents paper jams during backward feeding by providing appropriate guidance for both uncut and cut portions of the recording paper, thereby maintaining high printing efficiency without requiring excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a single complex guide structure that might cause paper jams, the invention uses multiple simpler guide portions positioned at different locations. This inverted approach of distributing guidance functions across multiple locations eliminates paper jams while keeping the overall guide member structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12311659B2Printing device

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A guide portion includes a first guide portion through which an uncut portion passes when recording paper is fed in a +Y direction by a feed roller after the recording paper is cut by a cutter, and a second guide portion through which a cut portion passes when the recording paper is fed in the +Y direction by the feed roller after the recording paper is cut by the cutter, and the second guide portion is positioned in the −Z direction with respect to the first guide portion.