Printer Paper Roll Holder with Turning Plate for Detection Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper roll detection mechanisms in printers are unreliable due to the gradual decrease in paper roll weight, leading to inaccurate detection of paper exhaustion, causing incomplete printing and unnecessary user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A paper roll holder with a turning plate featuring first and second arc grooves and a sensor, where the turning plate rotates to accommodate large and small paper rolls, ensuring the sensor accurately detects paper exhaustion by preventing the small roll from moving out of detection range, and a link mechanism for easy operation and paper loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a reflective sensor is used to detect paper exhaustion, then the detection range is extended, but the reliability of detection deteriorates when the paper roll becomes small and rolls in the paper house
Solution Approach 1:
A turning plate with arc grooves is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the paper roll and the sensor. The turning plate rotates to accommodate the paper roll at different positions, ensuring the roll remains within the sensor's detection range even when the paper is nearly exhausted, thereby maintaining detection reliability while preserving the extended detection range benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The turning plate is designed to rotate dynamically in response to changes in paper roll size and weight. As the paper roll becomes lighter during consumption, the turning plate automatically rotates to reposition the roll, ensuring continuous detection by the sensor without compromising reliability
2Device complexity
If the paper roll is allowed to roll freely in the paper house, then the mechanism is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the roll moves outside the sensor range
Solution Approach 1:
The turning plate provides controlled dynamic movement rather than complete freedom of movement. It rotates to reposition the paper roll within the detection range while preventing the roll from moving outside the sensor's detection capability, thus maintaining detection accuracy with minimal added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The paper house is segmented into different arc grooves on the turning plate that guide the paper roll to specific positions. This segmentation ensures the roll stays within detection range without requiring complex constraint mechanisms, balancing simplicity and accuracy
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
The solution enhances the reliability of paper detection, preventing false alarms and ensuring timely notification for paper replacement, thus improving user convenience and preventing incomplete prints.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, providing a rotating torque to the turning plate so that the turning plate turns from an initial position to an upturning position during the printing and consuming of a paper roll
Implementation Method 2
a paper house 1′ and a reflective sensor 5′ are arranged. The reflective sensor 5′ is slightly above the surface of the paper house
Data Source
AI summary
A paper roll holder, a printer having the same and a paper end detecting mechanism are disclosed. The paper roll holder comprises a turning plate, which upper surface forms a first arc groove close to a rotation center and a second arc groove far away from the rotation center; an elastic element, providing a rotating torque to the turning plate so that the turning plate turns from an initial position to an upturning position during the printing and consuming of a paper roll; and a sensor, arranged in the second arc groove of the turning plate for detecting the paper. Wherein, the turning plate has the initial position suitable for supporting a large paper roll in the second arc groove and the upturning position suitable for supporting a small paper roll in the first arc groove. When the printing paper roll is near end, along with rotation of the turning plate, the small paper roll is limited in the first arc groove so as to prevent the small paper roll from moving in the paper house during printing. When the residual amount of the printing paper is less than the distance between the sensor and the printing mechanism, the sensor can promptly and accurately send out a paper lack signal, thereby improving the reliability of paper detection by the sensor.