Printer Ribbon Supply Shaft Lock Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printers face difficulties in easily replacing ink ribbons due to the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft, which causes the ink ribbon to loosen during the replacement process.

Innovation Solution

A printer design that incorporates a ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism, which is switched between a lock state and a non-lock state based on the position of a partition member, preventing the ribbon supply shaft from rotating during ink ribbon replacement and allowing for easy attachment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printing unit is swung to allow ink ribbon replacement, then the ink ribbon becomes accessible for replacement, but the ribbon supply shaft rotates and the ink ribbon loosens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink ribbon replacement accessibilityVSAvoidink ribbon tension

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism is activated in advance when the printing unit is swung open, preventing the shaft from rotating before the ink ribbon can loosen. This preliminary locking action counteracts the potential harmful effect of shaft rotation during the replacement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism is automatically engaged when the printing unit opens, preparing the system in advance to maintain shaft stability. This preliminary locking ensures the shaft remains stable throughout the entire ink ribbon replacement operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the ribbon supply shaft is allowed to rotate freely, then the ink ribbon can be fed during printing, but the shaft rotates during replacement and causes loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink ribbon feedingVSAvoidink ribbon replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two states: during printing, the shaft rotates freely to feed the ink ribbon; during replacement, the lock mechanism engages to prevent rotation. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism is automatically activated when the printing unit opens, eliminating the need for manual intervention to lock the shaft. The system serves itself by automatically transitioning from free rotation to locked state, simplifying the replacement operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3822087B1printer

Publication Date: 2023.04.26 SATO HLDG CORP

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AI summary

A printer includes, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon supply shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up the ink ribbon used in the printing portion, a partition member provided swingably, the partition member partitioning the ink ribbon and the print medium; and a ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism configured to regulate rotation of the ribbon supply shaft, wherein the ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism is switched between a lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is regulated and a non-lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is permitted in conjunction with swing actions of the partition member.