Switchable Relaxing Section for Paper Jam Prevention in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in managing paper corrugations, as they either require multiple decorrugation mechanisms for curved paths, increasing complexity and component count, or fail to relax corrugations adequately, leading to paper jams in curved transport paths.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a switchable relaxing section that can be set to either maintain or relax corrugations based on the transport path, using a single mechanism that includes drive and driven rollers to adjust the corrugation state depending on the transport destination, thereby preventing paper jams in curved paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple decorrugation mechanisms are provided for each curved path, then paper jams in curved paths are prevented, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by providing a single decorrugation mechanism that serves multiple curved transport paths. Instead of having separate decorrugation mechanisms for each curved path, one mechanism is positioned to decorrate paper before it enters any of the curved paths. The controller selectively activates this single mechanism based on which curved path will be used, making the decorrugation system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated mechanisms for each path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the decorrugation mechanism selectively activatable rather than continuously operating. The controller dynamically activates the decorrugation mechanism only when paper is to be transported through a curved path, and deactivates it when straight transport is used. This dynamic control allows a single mechanism to adapt to different transport scenarios, preventing paper jams in curved paths while avoiding unnecessary operation that would complicate the system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If corrugations are maintained for straight transport paths, then paper stiffness is preserved for stable transport, but paper jams occur in curved paths due to excessive stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically controlling the corrugation state of paper based on the transport path. The decorrugation mechanism is activated only when paper is to be transported through curved paths, temporarily reducing corrugations and paper stiffness to enable smooth curved transport. When straight transport is used, the mechanism remains inactive, allowing corrugations and paper stiffness to be maintained for stable transport. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and jam prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by decorrating paper in advance before it enters curved transport paths. The decorrugation mechanism is positioned upstream of the curved paths and is activated to reduce corrugations before the paper needs to navigate the curve. This preliminary action prepares the paper for curved transport by reducing stiffness in advance, preventing jams before they occur while maintaining stability during straight transport sections.
3Device complexity
If a single decorrugation mechanism is used for multiple curved paths, then device complexity is reduced, but adequate decorration for all paths may not be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the single decorrugation mechanism upstream of all curved paths and activating it before paper enters any curved section. By decorrating paper in advance at a common location before the paths diverge, the single mechanism ensures adequate decorration for all subsequent curved paths without requiring multiple mechanisms. This preliminary action at a strategic location maintains decorration effectiveness while simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single decorrugation mechanism that serves all curved transport paths. The mechanism is positioned and controlled to decorrate paper that will be routed to any of the curved paths, making it a universal solution. The controller determines which curved path will be used and activates the single decorrugation mechanism accordingly, ensuring adequate decorration for all paths through this multi-functional approach rather than requiring path-specific mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer includes a corrugating section (30) disposed on an upstream side of a line head (10), the corrugating section (30) being configured to alternately form crests and troughs in a sheet in a width direction (X) which intersects a medium transport direction (Y), a relaxing section (40) that can be switched between a relaxing position in which the corrugations formed by the corrugating section (30) are relaxed and a maintaining position in which the corrugations are maintained with respect to the sheet on a downstream side of the line head (10) between the line head (10) and branch points (S1, S2) of transport paths (12, 13, 15, 24) and a controller configured to control the switching of the relaxing section (40) between the relaxing position and the maintaining position. The controller switches the relaxing section (40) depending on a transport destination of the recorded sheet.