Printing Device Transport Path Above Print Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining the capacity to store large amounts of card-shaped printing media, as the transport path positioning below the printing section limits the height of the storage section, leading to reduced storage capacity and alignment issues.

Innovation Solution

A printing device design with an openable/closable top cover and a detachable supply stacker, where the transport path is positioned above the printing section, allowing for increased storage height and alignment of cards in a standing posture, and incorporating error discharge outlets and multiple recording sections for efficient media handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the transport path is positioned below the printing section, then the device can be miniaturized, but the storage section height is reduced and storage capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidstorage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the transport path from below the printing section to above it, utilizing the vertical space above the printing section. This dimensional change allows the storage section to be positioned below the transport path, increasing its height and storage capacity while maintaining compact device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the storage section is increased in lateral direction to store all printing media, then storage capacity increases, but the device is upsized and media alignment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding the storage section laterally, the patent increases its height by repositioning the transport path above the printing section. This allows the storage section to extend vertically below the transport path, providing sufficient storage capacity without increasing the device's lateral dimensions and maintaining proper media alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2520436B1Printing device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 CANON FINETECH NISCA INC
  • EP2520436B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2520436B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~4
  • EP2520436B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A printing device 1 is provided with a housing 2, and a card stacker 3 is disposed above the housing 2. The card stacker 3 stores cards to be placed parallel in a laminate manner. Inside the housing 2 are stored a card rotating section 4, linear card transport path CP each disposed below the card stacker 3, printing section PR provided below the card transport path CP, various sensors, and control section. A card storage section 29 is disposed on the most downstream side of the card transport path CP. The card storage section 29 stores processed cards to overlap in a laminate manner. The card stacker 3 enables the supply number of cards to be increased, and it is possible to increase the height of the card storage section 29 by the card transport path CP positioning in the upper portion inside the housing 2. By this means, the invention provides the printing device capable of supporting large-amount discharge in response to large-amount supply of printing media while miniaturizing the device.