Printer Reverse Feeding for Accurate Media Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers waste print-receiving medium due to undefined positioning of identifiers when cartridges are detachable or rolls are re-mounted, leading to unnecessary feeding of blank areas before accurate positioning can be established.
Innovation Solution
The printer feeds the print-receiving medium forward until an identifier is detected, then reverses direction to return to the initial position, preventing waste by using first and second control means to manage feeding and detection, ensuring accurate positioning without further forward feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the print-receiving medium is fed forward until the identifier is detected, then positioning accuracy is improved, but waste of the print-receiving medium occurs due to feeding blank areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse direction feeding to return the print-receiving medium to the initial position after identifier detection. Instead of continuously feeding forward until positioning is complete (which wastes medium), the system feeds forward only to detect the identifier, then reverses direction to return to the starting position, eliminating waste while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the cartridge is made detachable for operator removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the position of the print-receiving medium becomes undefined, requiring additional feeding and causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable cartridge design allows operators to easily remove and replace cartridges, but this creates undefined positioning. The patent resolves this by using reverse direction feeding: after the identifier is detected following cartridge installation, the system feeds backward to return to the initial position, ensuring consistent starting points for printing operations while maintaining the ease of cartridge handling.
3Measurement precision
If forward feeding is performed to detect the identifier, then positioning control is enabled, but a blank area is fed and wasted before printing can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The system feeds forward to detect the identifier with high precision, enabling accurate positioning control. However, instead of continuing to feed forward to the print start position (which would waste the blank area), the patent reverses the feeding direction to return to the initial position, thereby achieving both accurate identifier detection and elimination of medium waste.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer (1) comprises storage means (4) configured to detachably store a print-receiving medium (3A) comprising a plurality of identifiers (PM) for positioning, feeding means (66) configured to feed the print-receiving medium (3 A) stored in the storage means (4), printing means (61) configured to perform desired printing on the print-receiving medium (3A) fed in a forward direction along a transport direction by the feeding means (66), detecting means (100) configured to detect the identifier (PM) of the print-receiving medium (3A), disposed on a feeding path of the print-receiving medium (3A) by the feeding means (66), instruction input means (S120) for inputting an operation instruction for starting print processing, first control means (S130) for controlling the feeding means (66) so as to start feeding of the print-receiving medium (3A) in the forward direction, in accordance with the operation instruction for starting print processing via the instruction input means (S120), detection determining means (S 140) for determining whether or not the detecting means (100) detects the identifier (PM) after feeding of the print-receiving medium (3A) in the forward direction was started by the first control means (S130), and second control means (S 170) for controlling the feeding means (66) so as to feed the print-receiving medium (3A) in a reverse direction that is reverse to the forward direction, and to position a position of the print-receiving medium (3A) along the transport direction in a predetermined first initial position in a case that the detection determining means (S 140) determined that the detecting means (100) detects the identifier (PM).