Printer Movable Blade Speed Control for Safe Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual cleaning of cutter blades in label printers used for cutting linerless labels is time-consuming and poses a risk of accidental contact due to the blade's exposure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A printer device with a movable blade that moves at a slower speed to a position where it can be easily accessed for cleaning, accompanied by a warning sound to alert the operator, reducing the risk of accidental contact and facilitating the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the movable blade is moved quickly to the cutting position, then the cutting efficiency is improved, but the safety risk of accidental contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed control of the movable blade based on operational context. The blade moves at first speed for cutting operations and second speed (slower) for cleaning operations, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics to different operational requirements and resolve the contradiction between productivity and safety.
2Ease of operation
If the movable blade is exposed for cleaning, then the ease of operation for cleaning is improved, but the safety risk of accidental contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the blade speed based on the operational mode. When cleaning is required, the blade is moved to the cleaning position at a slower second speed, making it easier and safer for operators to clean the blade while still allowing it to be exposed for the cleaning task.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit moves the movable blade to the cleaning position before the operator begins cleaning, ensuring the blade is in the optimal position for cleaning operations. This preliminary positioning action facilitates ease of operation while maintaining safety through controlled movement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the movable blade moves at slower speed to cleaning position, then the safety risk is reduced, but the time required for blade movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic speed adjustment where the blade moves at first speed during cutting operations and second speed during cleaning operations. This resolves the contradiction by matching speed to the operational context - fast when productivity is paramount, slow when safety is paramount.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade alternates between different operational modes (cutting and cleaning) with corresponding speed changes. The control unit manages periodic transitions between first speed and second speed based on operational requirements, optimizing both safety and time efficiency over the operational cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printer device which prints on an adhesive member including an adhesive material on one surface and includes a thermal head, a platen, a fixed blade, a movable blade, an operation unit, and a control unit. The thermal head prints on the adhesive member by generating heat. The platen is arranged to face the thermal head. The fixed blade is arranged at a position where a blade edge faces a conveyance path of the adhesive member conveyed between the thermal head and the platen. The movable blade is arranged at a position where a blade edge of the movable blade faces the blade edge of the fixed blade via the conveyance path and moved at a first speed to a position where the blade edge of the movable blade is brought into contact with the blade edge of the fixed blade. The operation unit receives a first operation for instructing to start cleaning the movable blade from an operator. The control unit moves the movable blade to a position where the blade edge of the movable blade is exposed above the conveyance path at a second speed slower than the first speed when the operation unit receives the first operation.