Printer Separation Unit Swing Mechanism for Dual Ejection Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers with both continuous and separation ejection modes require an easy method to switch the separation unit between ejection positions.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a pivotally supported opening and closing cover, a feed roller, a print head, a support board with a swing shaft, and a separation unit that can swing between continuous and separation ejection positions, utilizing a coil spring for biasing forces to facilitate the switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the separation unit is designed to be switchable between continuous ejection position and separation ejection position, then the printer can support both ejection modes and improve versatility, but the device complexity increases due to the additional moving components and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The separation unit is designed as a movable component that can dynamically switch between two positions: continuous ejection position and separation ejection position. The unit is pivotally supported on the support board, allowing it to rotate between positions. This dynamic design enables the printer to adapt to different ejection mode requirements while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation through pivotal movement rather than complex multi-component mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the separation roller is positioned adjacent to the feed roller for separation ejection, then the separation function is enabled, but the separation roller must be stored inside the housing when not in use, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The separation roller is integrated as part of the separation unit, which combines multiple functions including the separation roller, its support structure, and the pivotal connection to the support board. By merging these components into a single separable unit, the design simplifies the storage mechanism - the entire unit can be pivoted to a retracted position where the separation roller is stored inside the housing when not in use, and easily deployed when needed without requiring separate storage mechanisms for each component.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
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AI summary
A printer has a separation unit attached to a support board. The separation unit includes a guide rail hole to engage with a shaft so as to slide and swing with respect to the support board. The separation unit moves to a continuous ejection position in which one end of the guide rail hole comes in contact with the shaft, swings in a first rotation direction about the shaft in contact with the other end side of the guide rail hole so as to move away from a thermal head to a swing end position in which the separation unit on the forward end side is within a swing trajectory of the opening and closing cover, and swings from the swing end position in a second rotation direction while engaging on the forward end side with the opening and closing cover moving to the closed position so as to be located at a separation ejection position where the separation roller is adjacent to the feed roller when the opening and closing cover is located at the closed position.