Printing Cassette Reflection Wall for Compact Tape-End Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The downsizing of printing cassettes is limited by the need for a space to accommodate a transmission sensor for detecting the final end of the printing tape.
Innovation Solution
A printing cassette design with a printing tape having transparent and nontransparent parts juxtaposed, and a reflection wall that reflects light through transparent parts to detect the tape end, eliminating the need for a sensor within the cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a transmission sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element is arranged within the cassette to detect the final end portion of the printing tape, then the final end portion can be detected, but the cassette size cannot be reduced due to the space required for the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting element and light-receiving element are extracted from the cassette and relocated to the printing device body. Only the reflection wall remains in the cassette, which works in conjunction with the external sensors to achieve the same detection function while reducing cassette volume.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflection wall is introduced as an intermediary component in the cassette. This reflection wall reflects light back through the transparent part, enabling the external sensors to detect the final end portion without requiring the sensors to be housed within the cassette.
2Volume of stationary object
If the cassette is downsized by removing the transmission sensor, then the cassette volume is reduced, but the ability to detect the final end portion of the printing tape is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection wall serves as a mediator that enables light to travel from the external light-emitting element, through the transparent part of the printing tape, and back to the external light-receiving element. This intermediary component makes detection possible without internal sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having sensors emit and receive light within the cassette, the system inverts the arrangement by placing sensors outside and using a reflection wall to bounce light back through the tape, achieving detection from the exterior.
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 detection of the printing tape end without requiring additional space, thus achieving downsizing of the cassette.
Implementation Method 1
The reflection wall is configured to reflect light that has entered an inside of the case from an outside of the case and that has passed through the transparent part to allow the light to pass through the transparent part again and exit the case
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is provided a printing cassette that enables a final end portion of a printing tape to be detected while realizing downsizing of the printing cassette. The present disclosure is a printing cassette including: a printing tape roll; and a case. The case accommodates therein the printing tape roll. A printing tape has a final end portion in which at least one transparent part and at least one nontransparent are arranged juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction of the printing tape. The case has: a conveying path along which the printing tape drawn out of the printing tape roll is to be conveyed toward a printing position; and a reflection wall arranged at the conveying path. The reflection wall is configured to reflect light that has entered an inside of the case from an outside of the case and that has passed through the transparent part to allow the light to pass through the transparent part again and exit the case. The reflection wall has a surface including a reflecting area configured to oppose the transparent part. The reflecting area has a color different from a color of the nontransparent part.