Printer Mount Looseness Prevention Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printers experience issues with the mount becoming loose when the separation roller is set at the separation ejection position, leading to misalignment and operational troubles.

Innovation Solution

A printer design that includes a platen roller, a print head, a driven roller movable between two positions, a separation member, and a looseness prevention mechanism to ensure the mount remains aligned and secure during the separation ejection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the separation roller is set at the separation ejection position, then the label can be separated from the mount, but the mount becomes loose and misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation functionVSAvoidmount alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the platen roller and separation roller. This guide member has a guide surface that contacts the mount and guides it along a predetermined path, preventing the mount from becoming loose while allowing the separation roller to function at the separation ejection position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds a spatial dimension by introducing a guide member that extends in the width direction of the mount. The guide surface provides lateral constraint, preventing the mount from deviating in the width direction while maintaining forward motion, thus solving the looseness problem without affecting the separation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the separation roller is positioned to enable label separation, then separation ejection is achieved, but the mount feeding path becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation ejection capabilityVSAvoidmount feeding stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member acts as a mediator that stabilizes the mount feeding path. Its guide surface provides continuous contact and guidance, ensuring the mount feeds stably through the separation zone without becoming loose, thereby maintaining reliable operation during separation ejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is positioned upstream of the separation point to preliminarily guide the mount before it reaches the separation roller. This preliminary guidance ensures the mount is properly aligned and stable before separation occurs, preventing feeding path instability during the separation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mount is allowed to move freely between printing and separation positions, then flexibility is maintained, but misalignment and operational troubles occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemount movement flexibilityVSAvoidmount positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member introduces lateral constraint in the width direction while maintaining freedom of motion in the feeding direction. This selective constraint allows the mount to move flexibly along the feeding path while preventing misalignment in the width direction, thus maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide surface provides localized guidance only in the critical zone where the mount transitions from printing to separation. The guide member does not constrain the mount throughout its entire path, maintaining flexibility where not needed while ensuring precision where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents the mount from becoming loose, maintaining proper alignment and ensuring smooth operation when the separation roller is set at the separation ejection position, thereby enhancing printing efficiency and reducing operational issues.

Implementation Method 1

a platen roller configured to feed, along a feeding path, a mount to which a print medium temporarily adheres

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a print head configured to print on the print medium, the print head being opposed to the platen roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11286078B2Printer

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SATO CO LTD

AI summary

A printer capable of separating a print medium from a mount and ejecting the print medium includes: a platen roller configured to feed, along a feeding path, a mount to which a print medium temporarily adheres; a print head configured to print on the print medium, the print head being opposed to the platen roller; a driven roller that is movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position; a separation member configured to separate a feeding path of the mount and a feeding path of the print medium; and a looseness prevention mechanism configured to prevent the mount from being loose while the driven roller moves from the second feed position to the first feed position. The first position is a position where the driven roller is opposed to the platen roller. The driven roller is configured to be driven by the platen roller while coming in contact with the mount.