Printer Roll Paper Sensor Detection Without Conveyance Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses cannot detect information about a newly mounted roll of paper without suspending the conveyance operation, as they require the new roll to be conveyed into a common path and detected after printing on another roll is completed.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with separate conveyance paths and information obtaining units allows for simultaneous detection of roll paper information during printing on one roll by using sensors and encoders in each path, enabling continuous operation without waiting for the completion of printing on another roll.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common conveyance path is used for multiple rolls of paper, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases because information about newly mounted rolls cannot be obtained during printing on other rolls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common conveyance path into multiple separate conveyance paths, one for each roll of paper. Each separate path has its own sensor and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent detection and processing of each roll, enabling the system to obtain information about newly mounted rolls without interrupting printing operations on other rolls, thus resolving the productivity issue while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is disposed in a common conveyance path, then the measurement precision is simplified, but the loss of time increases because the new roll information cannot be detected until the other roll completes printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places sensors in separate conveyance paths that allow detection of newly mounted rolls before they enter the printing process. This preliminary detection action enables the system to prepare and store information about new rolls in advance, so when a roll is ready to be printed, its information is already available, eliminating the need for users to wait for detection to occur during or after printing operations.
3Device complexity
If printing is carried out on one roll at a time in a common path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to the need to suspend conveyance operation for information detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate conveyance paths that allow continuous operation of multiple rolls simultaneously. While one roll is being printed, other rolls can be conveyed and detected without interruption. This continuity eliminates idle time and ensures that the printing operation can proceed without suspension, maintaining high productivity while the system manages multiple rolls in parallel.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus has a mounting unit configured to support a plurality of roll papers at a plurality of mounting positions, an obtaining unit configured to obtain information of individual roll paper supported by the mounting unit, and a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet selectively pulled out from the plurality of roll of papers. In the case that another roll paper is mounted at one of the plurality of mounting positions while the printing unit prints the image on one of the plurality of roll papers supported by the mounting unit, the obtaining unit obtains information of the another roll paper.