Printing Apparatus Upstream Roller Positioning for Compact Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses are not miniaturized due to the placement of conveyance rollers downstream of the sheet cutting unit, leading to increased size and positional displacement of the recording medium during division.
Innovation Solution
A compact printing apparatus design where conveyance rollers are positioned upstream of the cutting unit, allowing for precise control of the recording medium's position during division, reducing positional displacement and enabling miniaturization by eliminating rollers downstream of the cutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyance rollers are placed downstream of the sheet cutting unit, then the sheet can be conveyed after cutting, but the apparatus size increases and positional displacement occurs during division
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conveyance rollers from the downstream side of the cutting unit, extracting only the necessary holding function upstream. This eliminates the space required for downstream rollers and their control mechanisms, directly reducing apparatus size while maintaining positional stability through the upstream holding configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a downstream conveyance-based positioning method to an upstream holding-based positioning method. By changing the temporal and spatial dimension of when and where the sheet is held (before rather than after cutting), it achieves positional stability without requiring downstream rollers, thus reducing apparatus footprint
2Ease of operation
If conveyance rollers are placed downstream of the cutting unit, then the sheet can be conveyed after cutting, but positional displacement occurs during division
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by holding the sheet in position using conveyance rollers upstream of the cutting unit before the cutting operation begins. This pre-positioning ensures the sheet remains stable during division, preventing positional displacement and improving cutting accuracy while maintaining the sheet conveyance function
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream conveyance rollers act as an intermediary mechanism that provides both conveyance and positioning functions. By placing these rollers upstream, they serve as a mediator that holds the sheet steady during cutting, eliminating the need for downstream rollers that would cause positional displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyors configured to convey a recording medium in a conveyance direction; an image recording device configured to record an image on the recording medium; a divider disposed downstream of the conveyors and the image recording device in the conveyance direction, the divider being configured to perform a dividing process including dividing the recording medium into a plurality of pieces; and a controller configured to bring the divider into contact with the recording medium to perform the dividing process on the recording medium with holding an upstream side relative to a central position of the recording medium in the conveyance direction by at least two or more of the plurality of conveyors.