Printing Apparatus Winding Core Fixing Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printing apparatuses, a significant amount of paper is wasted due to the need to fix the leading end of the medium to the winding core material before printing starts, leading to inefficiency and potential neglect of ongoing printing processes, resulting in dirty paper and increased consumption.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a conveyance unit that stops medium conveyance when a printed image break reaches a specific position, allowing the user to fix the leading end to the winding core material after printing has begun, and includes a prompting system to alert the user to perform the fixing, thereby reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the leading end of the medium is fixed to the winding core material before printing starts, then the medium can be wound up after printing, but a large amount of paper is inevitably consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium winding capabilityVSAvoidpaper consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the medium's leading end position and automatically transports it to the winding core material before the user needs to fix it, enabling the user to fix the medium at the optimal timing without wasting paper

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If the leading end of the medium is fixed to the winding core material only after printing starts, then paper consumption is reduced, but the user may forget that printing is in progress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper consumptionVSAvoidprinting process monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying an icon on the operation panel to indicate that printing is in progress, reminding the user to fix the medium's leading end to the winding core material at the appropriate timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the leading end of the medium passes the winding core material by a large amount, then the medium can be conveyed further, but the medium becomes difficult to fold up and fix

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidmedium fixing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual monitoring and positioning with an automatic detection and transport mechanism that uses sensors and conveyance rollers to position the medium's leading end at the winding core material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of time

If the user performs another work while waiting for the medium to reach the winding core material, then time is utilized, but the user may neglect the printing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaiting time utilizationVSAvoidprinting process completion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback through icons on the operation panel to indicate printing status, allowing users to be aware of the ongoing process while performing other tasks without neglecting it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240270005A1Printing apparatus and method for producing printed matter

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes: a printing unit configured to perform printing on a medium; a conveyance unit configured to convey the medium; a winding unit configured to wind up the medium after printing; and a stopping unit configured to stop conveyance of the medium by the conveyance unit in response to a break of a printed image reaching a printing position in the printing unit in a state where a leading end of the medium is located in a fixing work range.