Printer Slitter with Coaxial Gear Reduction for Compact Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers with slitter functions require a large installation space due to the need for a mechanism to move rotary blades to cutting positions and the requirement for a large motor to generate sufficient torque for cutting paper.
Innovation Solution
The printer incorporates a motor with a rotating shaft, a pinion gear fixed to the shaft, a reduction gear that transmits rotation at a reduced speed, and a drive gear that rotates coaxially with the motor shaft, allowing the drive rotary blade to rotate via the reduction gear, thereby increasing torque without needing a large motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanism is used to move rotary blades to cutting positions, then the paper can be cut at desired positions, but the installation space increases beyond the paper width
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary blades are arranged radially around the paper transport path, utilizing the radial dimension rather than extending the mechanism horizontally beyond paper width. The blades rotate in a circular path that encompasses the paper width, allowing cutting at any position without requiring linear space beyond the paper dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting mechanism transitions from a static blade arrangement to a dynamic rotary blade system. The rotary blades can rotate to any angular position to cut the paper at desired locations, replacing a linearly movable blade mechanism with a rotational system that achieves the same functionality within a compact footprint.
2Force
If a large motor is used to generate sufficient torque for cutting paper, then the cutting force is adequate, but the motor cannot be installed within the limited space of the paper discharge outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The drive gear is nested within the motor housing, with the motor shaft extending through the center of the drive gear. This nested arrangement allows the drive gear to be positioned inside the motor's footprint, utilizing the radial space around the motor shaft without increasing the overall installation footprint beyond the motor dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor shaft and drive gear shaft are merged into a single coaxial alignment, with the drive gear rotating on the motor shaft. This integration eliminates the need for separate motor mounting space and allows the cutting mechanism to share the motor's installation footprint, fitting within the limited paper discharge outlet space.
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
This configuration reduces the installation space required for the slitter portion by allowing a smaller motor to generate sufficient torque for cutting paper, thus minimizing the overall size of the printer.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction gear that is configured to transmit a rotation of the pinion gear at a reduced speed
Implementation Method 2
The rotation of the drive rotary blade via the reduction gear increases torque applied to the drive rotary blade
Implementation Method 3
a driven rotary blade that is configured to rotate by partially contacting the drive rotary blade
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a printer including a slitter portion requiring a small installation space. The printer (1) includes a slitter portion (25) including a motor (57); a pinion gear (67) that is fixed to a rotating shaft (57A) and configured to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft (57A); a reduction gear (69) that is configured to transmit a rotation of the pinion gear (67) at a reduced speed; a drive gear (71) that receives the rotating shaft (57A) in a state in which a rotation of the rotating shaft (57A) is not directly transmitted to the drive gear (71), the drive gear (71) being configured to rotate on the rotating shaft (57A) in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion gear (67) and a rotation of the reduction gear (69); a drive rotary blade (61A) that is integral with the drive gear (71) and configured to rotate coaxially with the drive gear (71); a driven rotary blade (61B) that is configured to rotate by the drive rotary blade (61A); and a slitter portion (25) that is configured to a paper (12A, 14A) passing between the drive and driven rotary blades (61A, 61B).