Receipt Printer Clamping Mechanism for Loop Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receipt printers face issues with paper dropping or falling from the discharge port due to incomplete cutting, leading to paper jams and operational inefficiencies, especially when dealing with receipts of varying lengths.
Innovation Solution
A receipt printer with a clamping section comprising a fixed and movable section that clamps the paper's front end before discharging it, allowing for either partial or full cutting, and bending the paper into a loop shape to prevent falling, while ensuring neat and efficient paper discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If partial cutting is used to prevent paper from falling, then paper discharge reliability is improved, but paper jamming increases due to incomplete separation
Solution Approach 1:
The paper discharge process is segmented into distinct phases: clamping phase where the front end is secured, conveyance phase where the loop is formed and moved, and cutting phase where complete separation occurs. This segmentation allows the paper to be held securely during transport while ensuring clean separation to prevent jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The front end of the paper is clamped in advance before the cutting operation. This preliminary clamping action prevents the paper from falling or shifting during the cutting process, ensuring reliable discharge while maintaining the ability to make complete cuts.
2Reliability
If the paper is clamped and bent into a loop, then paper falling is prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional clamping mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping function is merged with the existing conveyance system. The clamping section utilizes the same conveyance path and discharge port infrastructure, combining multiple functions into existing structural elements rather than adding entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping section serves multiple functions: it holds the paper front end to prevent falling, enables the formation of the loop shape during conveyance, and positions the paper correctly for cutting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If complete cutting is performed, then paper separation precision is improved, but paper discharge reliability decreases due to potential falling
Solution Approach 1:
The front end of the paper is clamped in advance before the complete cutting operation. This preliminary clamping prevents the paper from falling or shifting during the cutting process, enabling complete separation while maintaining discharge reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamped front end acts as an intermediary that holds the paper steady during cutting. This intermediary clamping action mediates between the need for complete separation and the risk of paper falling, allowing precise cutting while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a receipt printer comprises a discharge port configured to discharge a receipt, a conveyance section configured to convey a paper becoming the receipt to the discharge port; a clamping section configured to clamp the paper at an upstream side of the discharge port in a conveyance direction of the paper; and a controller configured to control the clamping section and the conveyance section such that the paper is bent into a loop shape to be discharged from the discharge port by clamping a front end of the paper with the clamping section and conveying the paper towards the discharge port while the front end of the paper is clamped by the clamping section.