Printer Substrate Merging Antenna and Sensor for Compact Labeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers that write information to wireless tags and print on paper sheets face challenges in alignment and cost due to separate substrates for the antenna and paper sheet position sensor, leading to increased installation space and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration with a shared substrate for both the mark sensor and antenna, allowing for movement in the width direction of the paper sheet, reducing installation space and cost while maintaining flexibility in design and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna and paper sheet position sensor are provided on separate substrates, then each component can be independently positioned, but the installation space increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna and paper sheet position sensor onto a single substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting spaces for each component, reducing overall installation area while maintaining their individual functional independence through separate component placements on the same substrate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna and paper sheet position sensor are provided on separate substrates, then each component can be independently positioned, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both the antenna and position sensor on a single substrate, the patent reduces the total component count and assembly steps. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and associated costs, including fewer substrates to procure, assemble, and align, while still allowing independent positioning of each functional element on the shared substrate.
3Measurement precision
If the distance between the paper sheet position sensor and the print head is short, then the alignment accuracy improves, but the design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the substrate movable relative to the print head in the width direction, enabling dynamic adjustment of the position sensor's distance from the print head. This allows the system to achieve optimal alignment accuracy for different label designs while maintaining adaptability to various label widths and configurations, resolving the contradiction between fixed short distance and design flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the substrate is made movable in the width direction, then the design flexibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a simple linear movement mechanism that allows the substrate to move only in the width direction (perpendicular to the paper sheet conveyance direction). This constrained single-degree-of-freedom movement provides design flexibility for accommodating different label widths while minimizing mechanical complexity compared to multi-axis positioning systems.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printer including a print head, a platen roller, a sheet position sensor, an antenna, and a movable portion. The print head is configured to print on a strip-shaped sheet. The platen roller is configured to move the sheet pinched between the platen roller and the print head along a longitudinal direction of the sheet. The sheet position sensor is provided on a substrate disposed on an upstream side of the print head in a conveyance direction of the sheet, and is configured to detect a position of the sheet. The antenna is provided on the substrate and is configured to write information to a wireless tag provided on the sheet. The movable portion is configured to move the substrate along a width direction of the sheet.