Printer Sensor Positioning for Black Mark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers are unable to detect black marks on recording media with different widths, leading to uneven feeding and potential misalignment, which affects printing quality and increases the complexity and cost of producing printers for various media sizes.
Innovation Solution
A printer mechanism with a guide and sensor system that allows for the detection of black marks on media of different widths by using multiple holes and terminals to position the sensor correctly, enabling the same printer to support various widths without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect black marks, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the sensor cannot detect black marks on recording papers with different widths
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into multiple segments with different hole positions (first hole, second hole, etc.) arranged at different locations. Each hole position corresponds to a specific recording paper width, allowing the single sensor to detect black marks accurately for different paper sizes by positioning it at the appropriate hole location.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor's position is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The sensor can be moved to different hole positions in the guide depending on the recording paper width being used, enabling the same sensor to maintain detection precision across multiple paper sizes without increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple printer types are produced for different recording paper widths, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single printer design incorporates a universal guide structure with multiple hole positions that can accommodate different recording paper widths. The same sensor, when positioned at the appropriate hole, can detect black marks on various paper sizes, making one printer type versatile enough to replace multiple specialized printer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the sensor through the guide structure rather than changing the entire printer configuration. By adjusting the sensor's position to different holes in the guide based on recording paper width, the system maintains detection precision across different paper sizes without requiring multiple printer types.
3Device complexity
If the sensor position is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates because the sensor cannot adjust to different recording paper widths
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into multiple discrete hole positions, each optimized for a specific recording paper width. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned accurately for different paper sizes while keeping the positioning mechanism simple - the sensor simply moves to the appropriate pre-defined hole location rather than requiring continuous adjustment.
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
Enables the detection of black marks on recording media of different widths, ensuring even feeding and maintaining printing quality across various widths, while reducing the need for multiple printer types and lowering production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which receives light
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer for printing information on a recording medium includes a guide (140) that guides the recording medium being fed and includes multiple holes (141, 142), a sensor for detecting the recording medium, and a board that includes multiple terminals. The sensor is mounted on at least one of the terminals such that the sensor is exposed through one of the holes.